Accelerating the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the substitution of organic fertilizers

In the process of agricultural modernization, fertilizers were once a key support for ensuring food production. However, the problems of soil compaction, eutrophication of water bodies, and decreased quality of agricultural products caused by long-term excessive use of chemical fertilizers have become increasingly prominent, becoming a bottleneck for sustainable agricultural development. In recent years, with the deepening of the concept of green development, the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the replacement of Organic Fertilizers have accelerated, leading agriculture towards a new journey of green, efficient, and sustainable development.

1、 Policy guidance, sounding the horn of reducing fertilizer use and increasing efficiency

Policies are an important engine for promoting the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the substitution of organic fertilizers. In 2026, the No. 1 central document of the Central Government clearly proposed that "with the improvement of cultivated land quality and the breakthrough of crop yield per unit area as double goals, the special action of fertilizer reduction and efficiency increase" will be implemented, and the policy baton will be changed from "consumption assessment" to "efficiency assessment", marking that China's fertilizer industry has entered a new stage of development. Previously, the release of a series of policy documents such as the "Action Plan for Fertilizer Reduction by 2025" also provided a clear roadmap for fertilizer reduction and efficiency improvement work.
Various regions have actively responded to the national call and formulated specific implementation plans. Henan Province has formulated the "Action Plan for Chemical Fertilizer Reduction in Henan Province by 2025", which promotes the reduction of chemical fertilizers through measures such as scientific fertilization, diversified substitution, and comprehensive measures tailored to local conditions. Qinghai Province continues to implement the action of reducing and increasing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with a cumulative implementation area of 676000 hectares, achieving full coverage of organic fertilizers replacing chemical fertilizers and regional green prevention and control technologies. The intensive introduction and implementation of these policies have created a favorable policy environment for reducing fertilizer use and replacing organic fertilizers, effectively promoting the green transformation of agriculture.
2、 Empowered by technology, solving the problem of reducing and increasing efficiency

Technological innovation is the core support for achieving fertilizer reduction and organic fertilizer substitution. The promotion of soil testing and formula fertilization technology has shifted fertilization from relying on experience to relying on data. Based on this technology, Lezhi County in Ziyang City has built a full chain service system of "soil examination precise fertilization scientific application". In 2024, the county collected 115 soil samples, released 20 main crop fertilization formulas, promoted soil testing formula fertilization technology 1.67 million mu times, with a coverage rate of over 90%, achieving "reduction without reduction in yield, saving fertilizer and increasing efficiency".
The research and application of new fertilizers provide a new path for reducing and increasing the efficiency of fertilizers. New fertilizers such as slow-release fertilizers, water-soluble fertilizers, and microbial fertilizers can accurately regulate the nutrient release rate, making the nutrient release pattern highly matched with the nutrient requirements of crops during their growth period, greatly improving nutrient utilization efficiency. For example, the utilization efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements in slow-release fertilizers is increased by 30% -50% compared to traditional compound fertilizers, which can significantly reduce environmental pollution caused by nutrient loss. At the same time, the development of crop breeding cycle technology has achieved the linkage between the resource utilization of livestock and poultry manure and the substitution of some chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers. Relying on the advantage of being a major county in animal husbandry, Liaozhong District of Shenyang City has converted cow manure into biogas slurry fertilizer and returned it to the field. This not only solves the problem of livestock manure disposal, but also provides high-quality organic fertilizer for rice cultivation, achieving a win-win situation of ecological and economic benefits

3、 Model innovation to stimulate the vitality of alternative development

Various effective models for reducing chemical fertilizers and replacing organic fertilizers have been explored in practice, injecting vitality into the green development of agriculture. The technical models of "organic fertilizer+formula fertilizer" and "organic fertilizer+slow-release/controlled-release fertilizer" have been widely promoted in Pingluo County and other places. Pingluo County is building a "green production demonstration zone" and a "mechanism innovation demonstration zone" for organic fertilizers, integrating and promoting key technology models, constructing a technology system for replacing chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers, and radiating and driving surrounding farmers to increase and reduce the use of organic fertilizers.
The "Two Substitutes" project implemented in Pujiang County, namely the widespread promotion of organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers and green prevention and control instead of chemical control, has achieved significant results. Over the past five years, the organic fertilizer utilization rate in the Pujiang "two alternative" planting area has reached 76.5%, with a green prevention and control coverage rate of over 71%. The quality of agricultural products has significantly improved, and the rake oranges have successfully obtained the "carbon label" and "carbon footprint" certifications, and have been exported to more than 10 countries. In addition, the "fruit (vegetable) - biogas livestock" cycle model and the straw returning model have also played important roles in different regions, achieving resource recycling and sustainable agricultural development.
4、 Multi party participation, consolidating the synergy of green development

The reduction of chemical fertilizers and the substitution of organic fertilizers is a systematic project that requires the participation of multiple stakeholders such as the government, enterprises, and farmers. The government plays a guiding role by introducing policies, increasing funding, and strengthening technology promotion. Pingluo County, Ningxia, organized technical personnel to conduct technical exchanges in the fields during the key agricultural season of spring sowing, and distributed more than 3000 fertilizer suggestion cards, effectively guiding farmers to apply organic fertilizer application and chemical fertilizer reduction technology.
As market entities, enterprises play an important role in the research and development of new fertilizers, organic fertilizer production, and other aspects. Some large-scale breeding enterprises, organic fertilizer production enterprises, and traditional fertilizer giants have carried out cross-border cooperation, promoting the transformation and upgrading of the fertilizer industry. Farmers are the ultimate practitioners of reducing fertilizer use and replacing organic fertilizers, and their level of acceptance directly affects the effectiveness of their work. Through publicity, training, demonstration and guidance, more and more farmers have realized the benefits of reducing fertilizer use and replacing organic fertilizers, and actively adopted green fertilization technologies. Through extensive promotion, more than 85% of the interviewed farmers in Dongpo District, Meishan City have mastered the basic principles of soil testing and formula fertilization, and are willing to try organic fertilizer substitution technology.

5、 Future prospects, drawing up a green blueprint for agriculture

With the continuous deepening of the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the substitution of organic fertilizers, the prospects for green agricultural development are even broader. In the future, technology will play a more important role, and technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data will be deeply integrated with precision fertilization to achieve intelligent and precise fertilization. At the same time, the organic fertilizer industry will continue to grow, and the quality and variety of products will continue to enrich, meeting the needs of different crops and regions.
Reducing fertilizer use and replacing organic fertilizers can not only improve the agricultural ecological environment and enhance the quality of agricultural products, but also increase farmers' income and promote rural revitalization. With the joint efforts of all parties, we have reason to believe that a new era of green agriculture with healthy soil, good ecology, and high-quality products will come, laying a solid foundation for ensuring national food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development.