The agricultural sector, contributing one-third of the global GDP, faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices due to environmental concerns and a projected global population of 9.5 billion by 2050. Organic fertilizers are emerging as a key player in promoting agriculture’s circular economy by improving soil health and leveraging natural resources.
Rising Chemical Fertilizer Usage
The use of chemical fertilizers has surged, doubling from 34.5 MMTPA in FY’01 to 64 MMTPA in FY’22, with nitrogen making up over 50%. Excessive nitrogen depletes soil carbon, disrupts nutrient balance, and reduces yields. Sustainable alternatives like organic fertilizers offer a solution.
Environmental Impact and Solutions
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states that global food systems contributed 17 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019, representing 31% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. This includes emissions from agriculture, livestock, food production, and transportation. Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), produced by Compressed BioGas (CBG) facilities, can reduce the carbon cycle while enriching soil. India’s 60 operational CBG plants currently generate ~2000 TPD of solid FOM, aligning with circular economy principles.
With a high organic carbon content of 14%, as per Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) standards, FOM restores soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, promotes nutrient cycling, and enhances crop quality.
Efficiency and Resource Optimization
Circular economy principles focus on resource efficiency and waste utilization. Organic fertilizers deliver 10.82 lakh tonnes of nutrients (NPK) annually. Given the potential to produce ~3500 lakh tonnes of solid FOM, this could contribute 52.50 lakh tonnes of NPK, significantly reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Economic Benefits for Farmers
Bio-fertilizers provide cost-effective solutions for farmers facing rising fertilizer prices and shortages. DAP imports grew by 20.5% from 5.46 million tonnes in 2021–22 to 6.58 million tonnes in 2022–23, while NP/NPK imports increased from 1.17 million tonnes to 2.75 million tonnes. The production shortfall of fertilizers, with domestic production at 362.73 lakh tonnes against a consumption of 471.88 lakh tonnes in 2022, highlights the urgency for alternatives.
Future of Organic Fertilizers
Despite cost concerns, the Indian organic fertilizer market is booming, projected to reach $694.41 million by 2029. Rising interest in organic farming underscores the growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices, paving the way for a greener future in farming.
