The crisis poses severe risks to India's food security and economic stability. Farmers, who make up two-thirds of the population, are particularly vulnerable as soil degradation reduces crop yields and increases dependency on costly chemical fertilizers. Rising food prices, driven by lower yields and higher input costs, could lead to widespread inflation and malnutrition. Additionally, the fiscal burden of fertilizer subsidies, which reached ₹1.86 lakh crore in FY 2026, strains government resources. Environmental impacts include biodiversity loss, water table depletion, and increased soil toxicity, which could have long-term consequences for agricultural sustainability.