India’s agricultural achievements, which stem from the Green Revolution, have come at a significant ecological cost: severely compromised soil health. Years of intensive agriculture, heavily dependent on chemical and synthetic fertilizer inputs, have resulted in serious nutrient imbalance. Currently, the national fertilizer application ratio of Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Potassium (NPK) is alarmingly disproportionate at 7.7:3.1:1, far surpassing the ideal ratio of 4:2:1. This overreliance on synthetic fertilizers has depleted the soil in terms of macro and micro nutrients but also of its microbial population and diversity, resulting in low Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels in almost half of
all samples tested, a key indicator of inadequate soil structure and functionality. The Soil Health Mission (SHM) needs to shift its focus from solely chemical management to biological restoration to ensure the sustainability of India’s agricultural future.
The Chemical Treadmill and Biological Cost
The widespread application of synthetic fertilizers initiates a harmful cycle referred to as the “chemical treadmill.” Elevated levels and the high salinity of these substances hinder the native soil microbiome, effectively eliminating the beneficial microorganisms that facilitate natural nutrient cycling. The decline in biological activity, especially within the rhizosphere, diminishes the soil’s capacity to process nutrients, leading to significantly low Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE). For example, it is common for phosphorus efficiency to drop severely, sometimes hitting as low as 15–20%. As crop yields stagnate or decline, farmers often experience pressure to increase their chemical usage, leading to higher expenses and greater soil toxicity. The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme, launched in 2015, has undoubtedly had a positive impact, providing fertilizer recommendations and effectively lowering production costs for crops such as sugarcane. However, the present focus of the program on chemical solutions overlooks the essential need to restore the natural biological processes of the soil through integration of Bio-fertilizers, Bio-insecticides and fungicides in Integrated crop Management Program.
The Microbial Solution: Reclaiming Natural Processes through Integrating Biofertilizer in Crop POPs
The solution lies in widely adopting biofertilisers within an Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) framework. Biofertilisers are products containing viable, beneficial microorganisms that restore the soil’s natural processing capacity. This transition offers both economic and environmental dividends. Biofertilisers provide significant economic benefits by reducing fertilizer application needs. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium and Azotobacter convert inert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants, reducing dependence on synthetic nitrogen
fertilizers. In a similar manner, Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM) generate organic acids that help dissolve insoluble phosphorus, leading to a reduction in the need for phosphatic fertilizers. In general, the integration of INM enhances crop yields, resulting in significantly higher net profits for farmers. Ecologically, reducing synthetic inputs mitigates the leaching of nutrients like potassium and phosphorus into waterways, which combats aquatic eutrophication. Furthermore, by decreasing the demand for synthetic nitrogen, bio-fertilizers
reduce the emission of powerful greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide associated with their production.
Barriers and the Path to Scalability
Despite the evident benefits, widespread adoption faces obstacles due to logistical and regulatory issues. Traditional, carrier-based biofertilizers typically have a limited shelf life—often only a few months—and are particularly vulnerable to the high temperatures in India, making distribution in remote regions more difficult. In order to tackle this issue, it is crucial for policymakers to advocate advanced formulations. For example, liquid biofertilisers offer a significantly longer shelf life and a higher microbial density, ensuring enhanced reliability. Furthermore, innovative techniques like HD & nano-encapsulation can protect microbial strains, enhance shelf stability, and enable controlled nutrient release. Moreover, trust takes a hit when regulations fall short. It’s a real problem when the market gets swamped with counterfeit or shoddy microbial products, directly eroding farmers’ confidence. This is why there is a need for strong commitment to the quality benchmarks in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) to turn this around, and fully support government initiatives like PM-PRANAM, as it encourages states to cut back on chemical fertilizers.
Reviving the Living Soil through Biofertilizers
The future of India’s food security is completely dependent on revitalizing the biological resilience of its agricultural land. A crucial shift is needed, moving the current chemical-centric approach, exemplified by the Soil Health Card (SHC) model, towards a holistic Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) framework. This new approach must place a strong emphasis on microbial solutions. By deliberately focusing on the soil microbiome, India can foster an agricultural system that is truly sustainable and profitable, providing substantial benefits to both the land and the financial well-being of the farmers.
Mr. Harsh Vardhan Bhagchandka is President at IPL Biologicals
