How Bio-Fertilisers Can Reduce Cost and Improve Yield

Introduction

India’s agriculture is undergoing a transformation. For decades, farmers have relied heavily on chemical fertilisers to increase productivity and meet growing food demand. However, excessive use of these chemicals has led to several problems—soil degradation, reduced fertility, water pollution, and increased production costs.

As the world shifts toward sustainable farming, bio-fertilisers have emerged as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and efficient alternative. They not only enhance soil fertility but also improve crop yield naturally—without harming the environment.

This article explores how bio-fertilisers work, their benefits, and how they can help Indian farmers reduce costs while achieving better yields.

What Are Bio-Fertilisers?

Bio-fertilisers are living microorganisms that promote plant growth by increasing the availability of nutrients in the soil. Unlike chemical fertilisers, which add nutrients directly, bio-fertilisers help plants absorb the nutrients already present in the soil more efficiently.

They include beneficial bacteria, fungi, and algae that interact with plant roots to enhance nutrient uptake. Common types are:

Rhizobium – Helps legume crops like pulses fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil.
Azospirillum and Azotobacter – Nitrogen-fixing bacteria for cereals, maize, and wheat.
Phosphate-Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) – Convert unavailable phosphorus in the soil into soluble forms for plants.
Blue-Green Algae (BGA) and Azolla – Used mainly in paddy fields to enrich nitrogen.
Mycorrhiza – A type of fungus that forms a symbiotic relationship with roots, improving phosphorus and water absorption.

The Problem with Chemical Fertilisers

For decades, India’s Green Revolution was powered by synthetic fertilisers such as urea, DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate), and potash. Initially, they boosted crop yields dramatically, but over time, overuse has created deep-rooted issues:

Soil Health Decline: Continuous chemical application kills beneficial microorganisms and reduces organic matter.
Nutrient Imbalance: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus disturb soil pH and limit micro-nutrient availability.
Water Pollution: Runoff from chemical fertilisers contaminates rivers and groundwater.
Higher Cost of Production: Prices of chemical fertilisers have increased sharply, affecting farmers’ profit margins.
Lower Productivity Over Time: Degraded soils respond poorly even to high fertiliser doses.

Hence, there is an urgent need for alternatives that restore soil fertility and are affordable for small and marginal farmers—bio-fertilisers fit this need perfectly.

How Bio-Fertilisers Work in the Soil

Bio-fertilisers work through biological processes that naturally improve nutrient cycles:

Nitrogen Fixation – Bacteria like Rhizobium and Azospirillum convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants, reducing the need for urea.
Phosphate Solubilisation – PSB organisms convert insoluble phosphates into soluble ones, making phosphorus more available.
Growth Promotion – Some microbes produce hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins that stimulate root and shoot growth.
Disease Resistance – Bio-fertilisers enhance microbial diversity in soil, suppressing disease-causing organisms.
Improved Soil Structure – Fungal hyphae and microbial activity increase soil porosity and water-holding capacity.

The result is a healthier soil ecosystem that sustains productivity over the long term.

Benefits of Using Bio-Fertilisers

1. Reduced Input Cost

Bio-fertilisers are cheaper than chemical fertilisers—often 50–70% lower in cost.
They reduce the need for repeated applications of urea or DAP.
Since microbes multiply in the soil, a single application can provide benefits over multiple cropping seasons.

2. Improved Crop Yield and Quality

By improving nutrient absorption and root development, plants grow stronger and produce higher yields.
Crops grown with bio-fertilisers have better taste, colour, and nutritional quality, making them ideal for organic and premium markets.

3. Enhanced Soil Fertility

Microorganisms increase organic matter and restore natural nutrient cycles.
Over time, soil regains its natural fertility, reducing dependency on external inputs.

4. Environmental Protection

Bio-fertilisers reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with chemical fertilisers.
They prevent contamination of water bodies and help maintain biodiversity in the soil.

5. Long-Term Sustainability

Continuous use of bio-fertilisers leads to improved soil structure, moisture retention, and resilience against droughts.
Farmers experience stable yields without degrading the land.

Economic Impact on Farmers

Parameter	Chemical Fertiliser	Bio-Fertiliser
Cost per hectare	₹4000–₹8000	₹500–₹1500
Soil health over years	Degrades	Improves
Environmental effect	Polluting	Eco-friendly
Yield (long term)	Declines	Increases steadily

A study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) found that integrating bio-fertilisers with reduced chemical inputs improved yields by 10–25% in rice, wheat, and vegetables while cutting input costs by up to 30%.

For small farmers, this means more profit and less risk.

Integration with Modern Agriculture

Bio-fertilisers work best when combined with integrated nutrient management (INM)—a balanced use of organic manure, compost, and minimal chemical fertilisers.

Modern agritech platforms like Cropple can play a vital role in promoting this integration:

Farmer Training: Educating farmers on the correct dosage, timing, and method of bio-fertiliser application.
Quality Assurance: Linking with certified bio-fertiliser suppliers to avoid fake or low-quality products.
Market Linkage: Promoting crops grown with bio-fertilisers as “chemical-free” or “organic,” fetching higher market prices.

With the right guidance and access, rural farmers can adopt these practices easily and see results within one or two seasons.

Challenges in Adoption

Despite clear benefits, widespread adoption faces a few challenges:

Lack of Awareness: Many farmers are still unaware of how and when to use bio-fertilisers.
Quality Issues: Market flooded with non-viable or poor-quality products.
Storage & Handling: Live microorganisms need proper storage and shelf life.

Addressing these issues through education, certification, and proper supply chains will ensure broader acceptance.

Future of Bio-Fertilisers in India

The global shift towards organic and sustainable agriculture is opening vast opportunities for bio-fertiliser production and use in India.
With over 60% of Indians dependent on agriculture and rising consumer demand for organic produce, bio-fertilisers can become a cornerstone of the next green revolution—one that is sustainable and farmer-friendly.

Experts predict that by 2030, bio-fertiliser use in India could grow threefold, saving billions in subsidy costs and rejuvenating millions of hectares of degraded farmland.

Conclusion

Bio-fertilisers represent a win-win solution for farmers, consumers, and the environment. They reduce costs, enhance yield, and restore soil health, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.

For small farmers struggling with rising input costs, bio-fertilisers are not just an alternative—they are the future.
By adopting these eco-friendly inputs, India can move closer to achieving a healthy balance between productivity and sustainability.

Let’s make farming greener, cleaner, and more profitable—one bio-fertiliser at a time.