Experts discuss sustainable farming and soil health at Bharat Agriculture Conference

At the 'Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026' organised by the India Today Group, experts held detailed discussions on the challenges facing Indian agriculture and pathways to sustainable farming. During this conference, focus was placed on serious issues such as declining soil health, imbalanced use of fertilisers, and pesticide residues in crops. According to experts, while there is pressure on farmers to increase production on one hand, questions are also arising regarding the cost of farming, soil quality, and yield security on the other.

Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, Director General of the Fertilizers Association of India, stated that it is not appropriate to hold fertilisers directly responsible for poor soil health. He clarified that fertiliser itself is not harmful to the soil, but its imbalanced use is the primary cause of the problem. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has been studying the long-term use of fertilisers and their effects on soil for years. Data from these studies show that if nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are used in a balanced manner, along with secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and organic fertilisers, then fertiliser can prove to be a boon rather than a curse for the soil.

Dr. Chaudhary further added that problems arise when farmers use more of a single nutrient than required and neglect other essential elements. Therefore, instead of blaming fertilisers, it is necessary to focus on their correct proportion and method of application. If balanced nutrition is provided, the level of organic carbon in the soil can be maintained, which can also improve crop yield and quality.

Subsidies on fertilisers and the low price of urea were also cited as reasons for imbalanced use. According to Dr. Chaudhary, farmers get urea at an approximate rate of ₹5.5 per kg. Due to this low cost and the fact that crops appear green immediately after application in the field, farmers are encouraged to use it excessively. He suggested that thought should be given to bringing urea within the ambit of a nutrient-based subsidy system. Additionally, wastage of fertiliser can be reduced by using an integrated approach of new and more effective fertiliser products, organic fertilisers, biostimulants, water-soluble fertilisers, and nano fertilisers.

Mahesh Girdhare, President of Agriculture Solution, ML, stated that selecting the right fertiliser, its correct quantity, correct timing, and using it in the right place is extremely essential in farming. He explained that instead of focusing only on applying fertiliser, farmers should understand how much of which nutrient is required at which stage of the crop. Comparing this to human diet, he said that just as a balanced diet is necessary to keep the body healthy, soil and crops also require balanced nutrition.

Other experts at the conference, including UPL's Global Regulatory Head Ravi Hegde and CIP's South Asia Regional Director Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, also presented their views. According to experts, farming can be made more productive and safe by testing the soil, providing nutrition according to crop requirements, and using pesticides in appropriate quantities.

Under the organisation of Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026, a confluence of farmers and experts was planned for 11-12 November at Bharat Mandapam, where artists such as Manoj Tiwari and Prahlad Tipaniya were also scheduled to perform.