Bathinda: As Punjab gears up for the paddy sowing season, which heavily depends on chemical fertilisers and diesel, a new report by IPES-Food (International Panel on Sustainable Food Systems) warns against excessive reliance on volatile global markets for food and farm inputs. The report aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal urging citizens to reduce fuel consumption and minimise chemical fertiliser use to save foreign exchange.
Report Highlights Global Food System Vulnerabilities
The report, titled "The New Geopolitics of Food," released on Monday, emphasises that countries dependent on imported food, fertilisers, and long global supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to wars, trade tensions, energy shocks, and price volatility. For Punjab, where paddy cultivation relies heavily on imported fertilisers and fuel-intensive farming, these concerns are particularly significant ahead of the kharif season. Any disruption in fertiliser supply or spike in prices could directly impact sowing operations and input costs for farmers.
Punjab's Fertiliser Consumption Far Above National Average
Punjab, preparing for paddy transplantation next month, is among India's heaviest fertiliser-consuming states, using nearly 248 kg of fertiliser per hectare. This is far above the national average of 140 kg per hectare. The report notes that global food prices remain over 35% above pre-pandemic levels, while the global food import bill reached a record USD 2.2 trillion in 2025. Experts warn that dependence on imported food and agricultural inputs makes countries more susceptible to economic shocks.
Call for Strengthening Local Supply Chains
IPES-Food experts advocate for strengthening local supply chains, reducing dependence on imported farm inputs, and building resilient local food systems. The report highlights tools such as food reserves, supply management, and local market support as means to stabilise prices and protect food security. Jennifer Clapp, an IPES-Food expert, stated, "We're entering a new geopolitics of food, where food prices are shaped by conflict, trade disruption, and power play. Crisis after crisis exposes the risks of outsourcing food security to distant markets and fragile supply chains."
Another expert, Mamadou Goïta, noted that rising fertiliser import bills are squeezing countries financially and making food systems more vulnerable. "Reducing dependence is not a choice, but a necessity," he said.
Implications for Punjab's Kharif Season
The report's findings come at a critical time for Punjab, as farmers prepare for paddy transplantation. The state's heavy reliance on imported fertilisers and fuel-intensive farming methods makes it particularly exposed to global market fluctuations. Experts urge policymakers to consider measures that promote sustainable agriculture, reduce chemical inputs, and enhance local food production resilience.
