Nano urea and public health: why India must proceed with caution
Agricultural inputs operate within complex ecological and biological systems where unintended consequences often emerge slowly. File photograph used for representational purposes only
India’s agricultural transformation has long been driven by technological shifts—from the Green Revolution’s high-yielding varieties to the widespread use of synthetic fertilisers. Today, nano urea is being positioned as the next leap: a precision input that promises higher efficiency, lower environmental damage, and reduced dependence on conventional fertilisers. Backed by policy support and fast-tracked approvals, its rollout has been rapid and ambitious.
Yet a critical question remains insufficiently examined: are we scaling nano urea faster than we are understanding its long-term implications for public health and environmental safety?
Published – April 28, 2026 02:33 pm IST
