Beyond Crop Yields - Building a Future Where Biofertilizers Aid Farmers, Feed Families, and Fight Climate Change sustainable future for all.

This article by Dr Mandira Kochar and Dr Vatsala Koul engages the readers with the concern of rising global food demand which is highly likely to escalate by 70% by 2050. To increase crop yield, farmers make extensive use of chemical fertilizers. This practice has a number of negative consequences on both environment and human health. This calls for sustainable practices of augmenting crop yield. By promoting these practices, we can mitigate climate change impacts, empower vulnerable communities, and build

- Dr Mandira Kochar and Dr Vatsala Koul

The global demand for food is expected to increase by 70% to feed the increasing human population by 2050. To escalate crop productivity, it is a common practice for farmers to increase the use of chemical fertilizers, namely nitrogen, potash or phosphates. In fact, the development of the technology for the production of chemical fertilizers as well as other technical improvements in agriculture driven by governments and companies, led to the Green Revolution during the 1960s. Despite its multiple advantages in the beginning, in the long term, it brought negative consequences that are apparent today.

The indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers is causing harmful effects to the environment, such as soil acidification, water eutrophication, and air pollution, to name a few. Consequently, there is a need for the development of innovative natural products that complement conventional farming practices to achieve sustainability. Among the indigenous organizations, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is leading the change, pushing sustainable solutions for agriculture, farmer benefits and climate responsiveness for a better future.

While challenges exist in transitioning to widespread sustainable agriculture, its potential to contribute to climate justice is undeniable. Some of the crucial agricultural activities for attaining climate justice are discussed here:
Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission: Sustainable practices like no-till farming, cover cropping, and composting enhance soil carbon sequestration, drawing GHGs out of the atmosphere. Additionally, the reduced use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, lowers GHG emissions.