The global phosphorus problem is gaining attention. With limited phosphorus reserves, contamination issues, and disruptions in the fertilizer market, finding sustainable solutions has become a critical priority.

Evolution of Fertilization and Contemporary Challenges Surrounding Phosphorus

• Historical Evolution:
  • The issue of fertilizing land hasplagued agriculture since its inception. Early agricultural societies recognized that repeated cultivation and harvest cycles depleted essential nutrients from the soil, diminishing crop yields.
    • Indigenous communities devised various fertilization methods,including using fish remnants and bird droppings (guano).
  • However, significant advancements in chemistry during the 19^thcentury led to the creation of synthetic fertilizers and the identification of vital elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
    • These elements laid the foundation for modern chemical fertilizersand played a pivotal role in boosting agricultural productivity during the Green Revolution of the mid-20^th
    • In the present scenario,there exists a multifaceted challenge involving phosphorus, a crucial component of fertilizers.
  • Challenges Associated with Phosphorus:
    • Limited Reserves and Cadmium Contamination:
      • Phosphorus is scarce and primarily found in specific geological formations.This is a major geopolitical concern.
      • Morocco and the Western Sahara region possess the world''s largest phosphorus reserves, but these reserves contain cadmium, a harmful heavy metalthat can accumulate in the kidneys of animals and humans when consumed.
      • The extraction and removal of cadmium from phosphorus resources are costly processes.
        • Cadmium-laden fertilizers can contaminate crops, leading to potential health risks, such as heart disease.

• Market Disruptions and Associated Concerns:
  • Out of all the countries, onlysix have significant reserves of cadmium-free phosphorus.
    • Among them,China imposed export restrictions in 2020, and several EU nations stopped purchasing from Russia.
      • Consequently, there has been a surge in demand for safe phosphorus.
    • This isone of the factors behind Sri Lanka''s decision to ban synthetic fertilizer imports in 2021 and shift to organic farming.
      • However, this transition led to a sudden decline in crop yields, triggering a political and economic crisis in the country.
    • Phosphorus Overuse:Excessive fertilizer application leads to phosphorus runoff into water bodies. Excessive phosphorus promotes algal blooms, depleting oxygen in water bodies and causing fish deaths.
      • Algal blooms can also be toxic to humans, leading to respiratory issues and other health problems.
    • Energy Intensive Mining:Extracting and processing phosphate rock is energy-intensive, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.

Potential Strategies for Managing Phosphorus Usage

• Smart Agriculture and Precision Fertilization:Implement precision agriculture techniques that utilize sensor networks, AI, and data analytics to optimize phosphorus use on farms. This ensures that crops receive the exact amount of phosphorus they need, reducing excess runoff into water bodies.
  • Union Budget 2023–24launched the PM-PRANAM scheme to promote the balanced use of chemical and alternative fertilizers, generating awareness of regenerative agriculture (RA).
• Phosphorus Recovery from Sewage and Waste:There is a need to develop advanced technologies for efficient phosphorus recovery from sewage and various waste streams.
  • This could include using innovative filtration, precipitation, and ion-exchange processesto extract and recycle phosphorus for use in fertilizers or other applications.
  • Example:Companies like EasyMining are retrofitting sewage treatment plants to recover high-quality phosphorus products.
• Circular Phosphorus Economy: There is a need toestablish a circular economy for phosphorus, where products containing phosphorus are designed for easy recovery and recycling, reducing the need for mining and reducing environmental impact.
• Global Phosphorus Management Framework:There is a need to develop an international framework for phosphorus management, similar to global climate agreements. This would promote collaboration and coordinated efforts to address phosphorus concerns on a global scale.