Modern Agriculture & the Role of Bio- Fertilizers

Tirthankar Majumder

IF WE TALK about Agriculture in modern days, then foremost it needs to be understood that, as per the Economic Survey 2022-23, approximately 65% of India's population breathes in the rural zones and 47% of the population is reliant on agriculture for source of revenue. So, enhancing agricultural productivity also leads to agricultural growth and can aid to alleviate poverty especially in emerging nations like India.

In this context, the role of Bio-fertilizers in agricultural output is very imperative, predominantly in the contemporary environment of soaring agricultural commodity costs.

Now in many people's minds one query is there, what is bio fertilizers?

Ok, let it be explained that these are made up of breathing bacteria and microorganisms that help to advance soil richness and plant growth. These bacteria support the nitrogen fixation process, which produces the nutrients obligatory for plant development. 

Through the process of biotic nitrogen fixation, these bio-fertilizers upsurge crop yields and soil strength when applied to seeds, seedlings, plants, or soil. To evade soil erosion, they produce capsular polysaccharides. They also break down immobilized compounds into soluble versions that plants can use. In contrast to chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers are more helpful.

Bio-fertilizers are easily accessible and cost-effective. This organic product may be used by low-income farmers while maintaining optimal crop yields. These materials are also simple to apply since they are similar to other types of input goods used by farmers, such as chemical fertilizers.

The need for bio-fertilizers is steadily increasing across the country as well as in our Tripura state, as these fertilizers have a long shelf life, are simple to use, do not contaminate the environment, and are very inexpensive. 

On top of these socio-economic benefits, these fertilizers have many scientific advantages also.

These fertilizers take nitrogen from the environment and make it available to plants directly. As per the report of various scientific studies, it is found that they augmented the amount of phosphorus in the soil by discharging both soluble and inaccessible phosphorus. Due to the development of hormones, bio-fertilizers enhance root proliferation.

Plants can be protected from soil-borne illnesses to some extent with bio-fertilizers. Bio-fertilizers fix nitrogen and legume crops in the soil and make them obtainable to plants through their roots. They convert phosphates that are insoluble, such as tricalcium, iron, and aluminium phosphate, into soluble forms. 

Phosphate is scavenged from the soil layers. Hormones and anti-metabolites are produced, which stimulate root development. They help the soil produce minerals by dissolving organic materials. It increases plant resilience to abiotic stress. Bio-fertilizers contain ingredients that help plants cope with abiotic stresses including drought, extreme cold, water surplus or shortages, and salty soils. 

Abiotic stress tolerance is improved with bio-fertilizers, and optimum growth rates are more likely to be maintained. Farmers can withstand crop yields and fulfil the rising demand for agricultural products because plants flourish in controlled environments. 

So, the core objective of this article is to create awareness about the recompenses of bio fertilizers in agricultural farms which would certainly be benefitted for our farmers & agricultural society. 

(The writer graduated in plant science and pursued a Masters in Rural Management. He has more than 10 years of professional experience in the development sector. He is currently working in an International Project as FC District in-charge of Gomati & South districts of Tripura.)

November 05 2023