Incentivise eco-friendly fertilisers

Source: The post is based on the article “Incentivise eco-friendly fertilisers” published in “Business Standard” on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian Economy – Agriculture Inputs

News: The growing awareness of the need to reduce the application of chemicals in agriculture is encouraging the use of eco-friendly alternatives like biofertilisers and biopesticides.

What is the need of eco-friendly fertilizers and pesticides?

Biofertilisers and biopesticides are equally or more effective in promoting plant growth and protecting crops. Also, they do not damage resources like soil and water.

Pests and pathogens have started acquiring immunity against the chemicals. New and mutated versions of existing pests and diseases have also begun to emerge.

Consumer demand for products cultivated without the use of harmful chemicals is steadily increasing. Start-ups are also playing an important role in producing and promoting bio-products.

Biopesticides are biodegradable. They can prevent or cure plant diseases and control or repel pests without posing any environmental or health hazards.Their use reduces the risk of weeds developing immunity against specific weedicides.

What are the advantages of eco-friendly fertilisers?

Biofertilisers are beneficial for both plants and soils. They enhance soil’s physical and biological condition and contribute to soil fertility by supplying a range of macro- and micro-nutrients.

Biofertilisers do not result in substantial nutrient losses through gas emissions or leaching, which is a common issue with chemical fertilisers.

Why eco-friendly fertilisers and pesticides need to be incentivized?

Although biofertilisers and biopesticides have demonstrated their effectiveness, their current market share remains inadequate. Nonetheless, their utilization has been steadily increasing at an annual rate of 7-8 percent over the last five years

This rate may rise to over 10 percent in the next five years, due to favourable government policies and growing demand for organically grown products.

The need is to incentivise greater public and private investment in developing newer fertilisers and pesticides which minimizes use of hazardous chemicals.

It is neither feasible nor advisable to completely replace conventional fertilisers and pesticides with bio-based alternatives. However, it is crucial to promote the trend of increased utilization of biological farm inputs.