Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...

3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES FOR
BIOPESTICIDE AND BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTS
FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN INDIA
Dr. Alok Kalra
S.P.S. Khanuja
Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Lucknow
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable crop production depends upon the rational use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
along with organic manures for better soil health. Indian agriculture has undergone dynamic
change since the “Green Revolution,” which provided self-sufficiency and ushered in an era
of rural prosperity. Production of food grains has increased from 50.82 million tons in 1950–51
to 211.2 million tons through the use of chemical fertilizers, high-yielding varieties, plant protection,
chemicals, irrigation, etc. This period was also noted for a 250-fold increase in fertilizer
consumption, from 69,000 tons during 1950–51 to 17.4 million tons of NPK nutrients during
2001–02, from 0.5 kg/ha to 91 kg/ha. Consumption of pesticides increased from approximately
160 metric tons in 1949–50 to 64,000 metric tons (2002–03). Excessive use of fertilizers and
pesticides has caused a serious imbalance in the nutrient status in soils and in food quality.
Nitrate concentration in groundwater and accumulation of heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and
cadmium have been reported. The WHO recommends a 10 mg/liter nitrate nitrogen limit in
drinking water. One study has shown 773 nitrate-affected villages in Gujarat alone, and about
68% of water samples from 113 villages in the Ludhiana district of Punjab were found to have
nitrate levels above permissible limits. At the same time, residues of DDT and Aldrin, etc. have
been reported in different food materials, for example, milk. These are matters of serious concern.
While production of food grains increased fourfold, soil and environment health have been
affected adversely by the application of 250 times more chemical fertilizers and 400 times higher
applications of pesticides than needed. This has prompted a search for biological alternatives
such as biopesticides and biofertilizers. Estimates indicate that biopesticides have about a 2.5%
share in the Indian pesticide market and may reach 12%–15% by 2006. Similarly, the use of biopesticides
and biofertilizers at present is estimated to be USD1.5 billion, and the market is anticipated
to grow substantially with greater demands for quality produce free from pesticides and
other toxic residues amidst growing public concern towards sustainability.
Excessive and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals resulting in deteriorating soil health has
led to reduced profitability from agriculture in spite of the development of high-yielding varieties
and superior agrotechnologies. The gaps between expected and actual yields from best agropractices
continue to widen, forcing farmers towards urbanization. The major causes are deterioration
in soil structure and texture, deficiency in soil microflora and –fauna, and nutritional
imbalances. Emphasis is now being placed on overcoming this situation by managing nutritional
and biological stresses through organic, cultural, and biological means. Here biofertilizers and
biopesticides may play a significant role.
MEETING THE DEMANDS OF ORGANIC FARMING AS A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Consumers’ increased awareness about food safety and environmental pollution has contributed
to a clear upward consumption trend in organic food, flavors, aromas, and medicinal herbs
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