China and India: a comparative perspective on fertilizer policy requirements for long-term growth and transitional needs

Stone, B. and Desal, G.M. (1989) China and India: a comparative perspective on fertilizer policy requirements for long-term growth and transitional needs. In: China and India: a comparative perspective on fertilizer policy requirements for long-term growth and transitional needs. University of Queensland Press , Australia, pp. 274-293. ISBN 978-0702222641

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Abstract

Since the late 1970s, China and India have emerged as dominant forces in the world fertilizer market. Between 1978-79 and 1984-85 they accounted for 50 to 55% of the growth in world consumption and imports, and nearly one-third of the growth in world production. Their contribution to growth of fertilizer consumption, production and imports in the developing world was 70%, 53% and 85%, respectively. Both India and China are now at a point where some of the policies and institutions which have been reasonably successful in bringing fertilizer use to its current level are no longer appropriate. It is important to distinguish between those elements which can and must continue to be successful and new initiatives which must be developed with much greater vigour if fertilizer use is to continue to play a key role in rural development and technological transformation of agriculture. It is especially important that short-term palliatives, such as price adjustments and subsidies, not be allowed to jeopardize the long-term basis for efficient growth by consuming resources needed to establish that basis. The next section discusses the limitations of standard techniques for analyzing the growth in feL ilizer use in developing countries (especially those characterized by substantial governmental planning) and briefly presents an alternative approach. The succeeding two sections summarize the results of applying this approach to analyzing the long-term growth performance of China and India respectively, and identify some major policy issues facing the two countries. The last section emphasizes lessons from the Chinese and Indian historical experiences and concludes with implied policy orientations.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	China, India, World fertilizer market, Micro-economic units, Nutrient, Tobacco, Maize, RP6643
Author Affiliation:	International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC, USA
Subjects:	Plant Protection Social Sciences
Divisions:	General
Depositing User:	Ms Ishrath Durafsha
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2014 05:52
Last Modified:	01 Apr 2014 05:52
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/12993

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