Partnering for Progress

Accelerating Biofertilizer Production for Sustainable Agriculture

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In the article, Shruthi SP and Dr Vatsala Koul advocate for a multi-stakeholder approach to promote the use of biofertilizers, emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and policy support to achieve sustainable and productive agriculture.

The growing global demand for food has placed immense pressure on the agricultural sector to increase yields. During the 1960s, the Green Revolution helped India achieve food self-sufficiency by relying heavily on chemical fertilizers. However, the indiscriminate use of these fertilizers has caused numerous environmental issues, such as soil degradation, salinity, water contamination, groundwater depletion, and climate change. To counter these challenges, biofertilizers have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives that not only enhance soil fertility and crop productivity but also reduce the reliance on chemical agricultural inputs.

Biofertilizers are formulations containing living microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or algae. These microorganisms include nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium), phosphate-solubilizing microbes (e.g., Pseudomonas), plant growth regulators, and mycorrhizal fungi, all of which contribute to plant growth. These biofertilizers offer a range of benefits, including improved soil health, reduced ecological footprints, cost-effectiveness, resilience to climate change, and alignment with global sustainability goals. As awareness about sustainable agriculture grows, the market for biofertilizers is expanding, driven by increasing demand for organic products and supportive government policies.

Challenges to the Widespread Adoption of Biofertilizers