New Delhi, June 12 -- Indian farmers have purchased 1.14 million tonnes (mt) of organic manure in the ongoing kharif sowing season, a sharp increase from 324,000 tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

While India still relies heavily on urea and chemical fertilizers to protect crop yields, especially for water-heavy crops like paddy, this 3.5-fold surge in organic manure points to a changing tide.

Mint looks into the forces driving this shift as cultivators increasingly prioritize long-term soil health, sustainability, and input efficiency over traditional chemicals.

This surge reflects a growing awareness among farmers about how excessive chemical fertilizers damage soil health. Years of overdependence on urea and synthetic nut...