Abstract
Bio-based fertilisers offer a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers, addressing both environmental and economic challenges in Indian agriculture. By enhancing soil nutrient availability, promoting natural nitrogen fixation, and increasing soil organic carbon, these fertilisers significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of farming. Despite challenges such as limited farmer awareness, market accessibility, and subsidy biases favoring chemical fertilisers, bio-fertilisers present long-term benefits including improved crop yields, resilience, and reduced dependence on imports. Policy support, supply chain development, and farmer education are essential to scale their adoption and advance low-carbon, climate-resilient agriculture in India.
Introduction
The agricultural sector is the backbone and major sector of the economy, employing about 60 per cent of the country’s labour force. However, this sector is facing one of its greatest challenges to date. Even though the Green Revolution has helped achieve food security in the country, heavy dependence on synthetic chemical fertilisers has created many environmental issues, such as soil erosion, contamination of aquifers, decline in organic carbon due to intensive cropping which impacted the carbon footprint. Studies show that the Indian fertiliser sector contributes approximately 25 million tons of CO₂ every year. The fertiliser available is produced through chemical and energy-intensive processes in a market that has a high reliance on fossil fuels. It has thus put immense pressure on the sector to meet global climate commitments while pursuing different measures of sustainability. Bio-based fertilisers, which rely on living microorganisms to reduce the dependence on fertilizers and chemicals are emerging as one of India’s most practical ways to address this issue.
The Environmental and Economic Case for Bio-Fertilisers
The primary advantage of bio-fertilisers lies in their ability to unlock nutrients already present in the soil, enhancing plant uptake and thereby reducing the need for excessive fertiliser application. A life cycle assessment (LCA) comparison reveals a remarkable difference: the creation of chemical fertilisers emits 23.2 times more carbon compared to their bio-based counterparts. This significant reduction in product carbon footprint (PCF) is attributed to the fact that bio-fertilisers originate from renewable resources and require minimal energy-intensive processing.
Moreover, the application of chemical fertilisers, particularly nitrogen-rich ones like urea, plays a major role in increasing nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. N₂O is a highly potent greenhouse gas, possessing a global warming potential (GWP) that is almost 300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, bio-fertilisers promote a more robust soil microbiome, which supports natural nitrogen fixation, thereby decreasing the surplus nitrogen that soil bacteria transform into N₂O. Studies have shown that substituting chemical fertilisers with organic options can lead to a significant decrease in soil N₂O emissions.
Additionally, bio-fertilisers play a significant role in carbon sequestration by boosting the soil’s organic carbon (SOC) levels. Microorganisms such as mycorrhizae and phosphate-solubilising bacteria enhance soil structure, augment organic matter, and establish a more stable carbon reservoir in the soil. This mechanism effectively draws carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequesters it underground, providing the dual advantage of healthier soil and climate change mitigation. For example, specific bio-fertilisers that include Azospirillum have demonstrated improvements in root development and oxygen levels in paddy fields, which is essential for reducing methane (CH₄) emissions that are typically elevated in waterlogged rice farming systems.
From an economic standpoint, bio-fertilisers also present considerable long-term benefits. Although the initial implementation may involve a learning curve, they tend to be more economical over time. Research on lettuce and broccoli farming indicated that using bio-fertilisers could lead to a reduction of up to 40% in chemical fertiliser use without sacrificing yield. Moreover, they have been shown to enhance crop yields by 10-40%, increase plant resilience to stress, and improve the nutritional quality of crops, resulting in higher market prices and better profits for farmers. This is particularly relevant given India’s heavy dependence on imports for crucial chemical fertiliser elements such as potash, which takes up a substantial portion of the nation’s foreign exchange. By promoting local, bio-based alternatives, India can enhance its agricultural self-sufficiency.
Government Regulations and Market Dynamics
Recognising the twin benefits of environmental sustainability and economic self-sufficiency, the Indian government has initiated several policies to promote bio-fertilisers. A key programme in this effort is the Pradhan Mantri Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM), which motivates states to reduce their reliance on chemical fertilisers and adopt organic alternatives. Furthermore, the Soil Health Card Scheme plays a vital role by providing farmers with insights into their soil’s nutrient content, allowing for a more judicious and balanced use of inputs, including bio-fertilisers. At the state level, new incentives are being introduced to expedite this shift. For example, the Andhra Pradesh government has proposed special incentives for farmers who transition to bio-fertilisers, with the goal of gradually achieving a state free from chemical fertilisers.
Still, these efforts have not led to big adoption yet, as the market is scattered and many farmers continue to depend on traditional farming methods.Current estimates suggest the Indian biofertiliser market will reach $233.5 million by 2030, yet this still only represents a small percentage of total fertiliser consumption. The country also has a strong and entrenched subsidy system, which operates through a significant subsidy to chemical fertilisers that makes them much more attractive to the immediate farmer’s financial situation.
Challenges and the Way Forward
The journey towards the extensive adoption of bio-fertilisers in India encounters numerous obstacles. A major issue is the lack of understanding and technical ability of farmers to successfully apply these products, and this is compounded by the issue that, unlike chemical fertilisers, which display quick and dramatic results, bio-fertilisers work less quickly and build up over time, leading some farmers to feel they are worse than chemical fertilisers. Furthermore, their distance from the market often makes them less accessible; additionally, the variability in product quality and the limited shelf life of certain microbial products have hindered the success of bio-fertilisers in the marketplace. Moreover, more research is required to ascertain the true impact of bio-fertilisers in reducing the carbon footprint as well as to develop clear pathways for providing farmers with carbon credits when they adopt these sustainable practices.
In order to tackle these issues, a comprehensive strategy is needed. First, the government should update its subsidy policies to encourage fair competition between chemical and bio-fertilisers. Additionally, a strong and decentralised supply chain is vital for the timely and widespread distribution of quality bio-fertilisers. Furthermore, it is crucial to establish specialised extension services and training initiatives aimed at informing farmers about the science behind and application of bio-fertilisers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bio-based fertilisers are a significant, practical response to the concurrent crises of sustainable agriculture and environmental degradation in India. As they help contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate improvements in soil health, and enhance economic resilience, they are central to the country’s climate-action plans. A collaborative effort between policymakers, researchers, manufacturers and farmers can take full advantage of these sustainable resources in what can be the foundation of a low-carbon, productive and resilient Indian agriculture system.
