THE LIBERALISATION, privatisation and globalisation reforms of the 1990s disrupted the country's agrarian sector. Seeds, inputs and markets were out of reach for small farmers and agricultural workers, who fell in debt due to high production costs, credit rates, volatile market prices and fossil-fuel-based inputs. Hence, in the early 2000s India began promoting chemical-free organic farming and zero budget natural farming. These improve soil fertility, but there are conflicting views about their impact on yield.
To overcome this and boost productivity, the agriculture sector can tap into microorganisms. Scientific research shows constructive and cost-effective use of bacterial, fungal and algal microbes can also have positive results on crop yields.
Microbes can be used as biofertilisers, biostimulants and biopesticides, cultured in the laboratory. Nowadays, some varieties are also made by trained farmers.
Soil contains several natural microbes that help plants absorb nutrients. These can be cultured and modified into biofertilisers. They increase the availability of nutrients and boost yield by 10-25 per cent, says a 2018 Frontiers in Plant Science study.
Current estimated demand for biofertilisers in India is 18,500 tonnes per year, while production is 10,000 tonnes, as per data with Rama University, Noida.
Denne historien er fra April 01, 2022-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 01, 2022-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara
