Supply concerns drive India’s pivot to biofertilisers as farmers seek alternatives
Amid supply concerns and shipping disruptions, India is accelerating adoption of biofertilisers. Women-led rural collectives are driving this shift toward sustainable farming.
As India’s vast farmlands brace for another planting season, a quiet revolution is underway in rural sheds and village collectives. Traditional biofertilisers, once a niche product, are gaining momentum as farmers confront both supply vulnerabilities and a renewed focus on sustainable agriculture.Geopolitical shocks amplify supply risk for chemical fertilisersWomen’s collectives step up with biofertiliser innovationTappal Samriddhi Mahila Kisan Limited in Uttar Pradesh are pioneering the production of biofertilisers using accessible ingredients such as cow dung, flour, and unrefined sugar. This collective, formed under the government’s Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) programme, now counts over 1,000 women members across 92 villages. Designated as a ‘Lighthouse FPO’, it serves as a model for replication nationwide.Kamlesh Devi, managing director of the group, highlighted in an interview with AFP that their initiative was motivated by the needs of smallholders struggling to secure enough fertiliser. The group’s biofertiliser unit supplied around 200 farmers in the current season, with demand rising as chemical alternatives appear less reliable.Balancing cost, efficiency, and sustainabilityExpert views: Biofertilisers as a supplement, not a panaceaBrijesh Mishra, principal scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, told AFP that the gradual benefits and crop-specific requirements limit rapid adoption. He noted that “farmers often expect immediate results and sometimes use only one type of biofertiliser, which limits effectiveness.”Environmental and social benefits fuel momentumUnited Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization has linked conventional fertiliser use to rising nitrous oxide emissions, posing a risk to climate targets. Biofertiliser advocates argue that reducing chemical usage not only helps lower these emissions but also raises soil organic carbon, aiding carbon sequestration.Looking ahead: India’s fertiliser future at a crossroads