April 24, 2026
In his Hindustan Times column, Vital Signs, OHT’s Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan explains a hidden risk behind India’s food security.
India currently produces large amounts of food, but this depends heavily on imported fertilizers made from natural gas, phosphate, and potash, much of it coming from countries in the Persian Gulf. This means global conflicts or supply disruptions can directly affect India’s farming costs and food supply.
He argues that this dependence is not sustainable. Rising import costs also place a heavy burden on government subsidies and farmers.
Dr. Laxminarayan points to solutions such as natural farming, better soil management, and cleaner technologies such as green ammonia. “Our second Green Revolution will have to focus on independence from the unpredictable and uncontrollable politics of West Asia, while also tackling climate change and preserving foreign currency for more strategic inputs. Indian farmers deserve nothing less.”
Read the article here.
