India, Jan. 29 -- The Economic Survey 2025-26 recommended raising urea prices and implementing direct cash transfers to farmers.

This will curb urea overuse, which has led to soil health issues.

The survey highlighted the imbalance in nutrient use, urging a shift towards balanced fertilisation.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 advised the government to increase the retail price of urea, which has remained unchanged at Rs 242 per 45 kg bag since 2018. This, the authors of the report noted, will discourage urea overuse, which has led to a serious soil health crisis over the years.

The price change can be done while transferring an equivalent amount directly to farmers on a per-acre basis. "Farmers receive the same overall purchasing power, b...