Indian farmers adopt biofertilizers amid Middle East shipping disruptions
With the monsoon season coming up, demand for biofertilizers is rising among some Indian farmers because chemical fertilizer supplies are looking shaky, thanks to shipping disruptions in the Middle East.
While India usually relies on about 63 million tons of chemical fertilizers a year, biofertilizers (a smaller but fast-growing $150 million market) are catching on, especially with government backing and a push for more sustainable farming.
Uttar Pradesh women produce local biofertilizers
In Uttar Pradesh, women-led collectives like Tappal Samriddhi Mahila Kisan Limited are making biofertilizers from cow dung and other local resources.
One farmer said they've managed to cut their urea use by about one-third without hurting their harvests.
Biofertilizers aren't a total replacement for chemicals but offer an eco-friendly boost for soil health, help cut greenhouse gas emissions, and give rural women and small farmers affordable options when supplies run low.