पुढील दोन विधानांपैकी कोणते योग्य आहे ?
(a) सन 1952 ते 2012 या काळात भारतात खतांचा वापर 500 पटीपेक्षा अधिक वाढला आहे.
(b) अमाप उत्पादनामुळे भारताला आता खते आयात करावी लागत नाहीत.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :

The correct answer is Option D (Neither).

Key Points:
• Fertilizer Consumption and Production Dynamics in India:
• Statement (a) Analysis: In 1951-52, chemical fertilizer consumption (NPK) stood at roughly 0.066 million tonnes (66,000 tonnes). By 2011-12, total consumption reached approximately 27.7 million tonnes to 28 million tonnes. While this constitutes an enormous expansion (~400 to 420 times), official evaluation benchmarks considered the statement 'more than 500 times' factually flawed or exaggerated.
• Statement (b) Analysis: India is heavily dependent on imports for critical fertilizers. India imports 100% of its Potassic (MOP) fertilizers due to lack of domestic potash reserves, nearly 90% of its phosphatic raw materials/DAP, and around 20% to 25% of its Urea requirement. Therefore, statement (b) is blatantly incorrect.
• Since both statements fail factual verification, Neither (Option 4) is the keyed answer.
• Key Takeaway: India is not self-sufficient in fertilizers (imports 100% of potash); consumption growth did not exceed 500 times between 1952 and 2012.