|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Farmers looking for methods that help crops survive tough conditions”
|
|
Monday, 23 June, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
|
 >India’s agricultural input industry is witnessing a paradigm shift as biologicals and organic solutions gain momentum across the country. Driven by growing environmental concerns, rising demand for residue-free produce, and regulatory support, the sector is actively transitioning from conventional chemical-based products to sustainable, microbe-driven alternatives. Harsh Vardhan Bhagchandka, president of IPL Biologicals, shares in detail about how IPL Biologicals is spearheading the change by introducing advanced biological formulations in an email interaction with Abhitash Singh. Excerpts:
What is driving the shift toward biologicals and organic inputs in Indian agriculture?
The transition toward biologicals in Indian agriculture is largely driven by growing awareness around sustainable farming, soil health, and food safety. With rising concerns over the long-term impact of chemical inputs, farmers are adopting biologicals for their eco-friendly and residue-free benefits. These solutions not only improve soil fertility and crop resilience but also align with the increasing consumer demand for safe produce. Additionally, government initiatives and regulatory support are encouraging the use of biological inputs across various regions. Advances in agri-biotech have also made biologicals more accessible and effective. This shift marks a significant step toward climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture in India.
How do biological solutions compare to chemical inputs in terms of effectiveness and adoption?
Biological solutions have significantly evolved in recent years, and their effectiveness is now comparable to many conventional chemical inputs. In several cases, especially for controlling soil-borne pests and fungal pathogens, biologicals have demonstrated superior performance due to their targeted action and soil-health-enhancing properties. As a result, farmers are increasingly adopting biologicals not just as alternatives but as integral components of integrated crop management programmes. This shift is further supported by growing regulatory restrictions on certain chemical pesticides and the rising demand for residue-free produce in global markets.
What are the biggest hurdles farmers face in adopting biological products?
While the adoption of bio-inputs is growing, many farmers still face challenges in shifting from conventional practices. A key hurdle is limited awareness around proper usage—timing, dosage, and application methods are critical to product success. Misinformation and the presence of spurious products in the market also reduce farmer confidence. Additionally, access remains a barrier in remote areas due to limited distribution networks. To address these issues, we conduct on-ground and digital farmer education programme, collaborate with leading crop research institutes, and strengthen quality assurance. With rising awareness and policy support, biologicals are steadily moving toward mainstream adoption in Indian agriculture. Additionally, we also established Bio-Plot concept to demonstrate real-time solutions for the farmers.
How are you customising your products for international markets like the UAE and Europe?
We are strategically customising our product portfolio to meet the specific needs and challenges of international markets, particularly in regions like the UAE and Europe. In Europe, where many chemical pesticides are being phased out, our biological products like Metarhizium and Beauveria bassiana—have demonstrated strong efficacy against pests in both open-field and greenhouse crops. We are also introducing consortium-based products with multiple strains to enhance effectiveness and broaden pest control. Additionally, our new water-soluble powder formulations are not only innovative but also highly efficient, requiring just 250g per acre. These products are user-friendly, compatible with micro-irrigation systems, and align perfectly with the growing demand for sustainable, residue-free agriculture in international markets.
Tell us about the six new products recently launched and their expected impact.
Recently, we launched six new products, including three under the NXG range—Subtilin,Viridex and Sporidex—featuring breakthrough Soluble Powder (SP) formulations with superior solubility, enhanced performance, and compatibility with micro-irrigation systems. These products are the first of their kind in India’s biological agri-input segment to be introduced in a soluble powder format. Each product has been developed with a focus on soil health, nutrient availability, and microbial efficacy across varied agro-climatic zones. Lexa-fortified mycorrhizal biofertiliser is another key innovation aimed at improving nutrient uptake and root health. Another notable innovation is 360, a specialised seed-coating solution that enhances crop resilience and early-stage productivity. These products have been designed keeping in mind the evolving needs of modern farmers they are efficient, compatible, and offer better performance in the field. We believe the NXG range will help farmers adopt more sustainable practices without compromising on productivity.
How does your R&D approach support innovation in the biologicals space?
Our R&D centre is actively working on next-generation biological solutions focused on sustainability and efficiency. One of the key innovations in the pipeline is a consortium of beneficial microbes with different formulations with lesser dosage requirement designed to offer multiple benefits like pest protection, nutrient enhancement, and soil regeneration in a single formulation. Our products are powered by Microbot and One Technology, setting new standards in innovation. Microbot Technology allows us to select the most virulent microbial strains in a zero contamination environment. Our R&D team collaborates with leading agricultural universities, government institutions, and global research bodies to stay ahead of the curve. To support these innovations and meet the rising global demand, we are setting up a state-of-the-art automated manufacturing facility in Gujarat, expected to be operational by August this year. This modern plant will produce high-quality liquid, powder, and granule-based biological formulations at scale.
What’s the significance of appointing Yuvraj Singh as your brand ambassador?
Yuvraj Singh’s journey with us has been a game-changer for microbial solutions in Indian agriculture. His resilience and transformation mirror IPL’s mission to revolutionise farming with sustainable inputs. Through digital campaigns and direct farmer engagement, he’s helped spread awareness across social and rural communication channels, making sustainable farming more accessible. His advocacy has fast-tracked farmer adoption and reinforced our leadership in the bio-agri revolution.
How do your products contribute to reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint?
Our products help reduce the carbon footprint in agriculture by offering eco-friendly biological alternatives to chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which require significantly less energy to produce and apply. Through biological interventions, we reduced the usage of chemical fertilisers by 25-30%. These solutions enhance soil health and boost microbial activity, leading to greater carbon sequestration in the soil. By reducing the dependence on chemical fertilisers through efficient nutrient mobilisers, they also help lower harmful nitrous oxide emissions. Additionally, we support low-input, high-efficiency farming practices that conserve resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, our products drive climate-smart, sustainable agriculture with a much smaller environmental impact.
What global trends do you see shaping the future of sustainable agriculture?
There are three major trends that are really changing the way we look at farming today.
First is climate change. Weather has become so unpredictable-too much rain, long dry spells, extreme temperatures. Because of this, farmers are now looking for farming methods that can help crops survive these tough conditions. That’s where biological solutions come in-they’re safer and help crops become more resilient. Second, people around the world are now more conscious about what they eat. There’s a strong demand for residue-free and chemical-free food. Consumers want safe, clean produce, and biologicals are a great way to grow food without leaving harmful residues. Third, there’s a growing concern about soil health. Overuse of chemicals has damaged our soils. Now, farmers and experts are focusing on restoring soil fertility and microbial life-and biologicals are playing a big role in bringing the soil back to life.
What is your message to policymakers and industry stakeholders on supporting biological solutions?
Yes, we actively support and promote policies that encourage the use of biological farming methods. We regularly talk to government departments, regulators, and industry groups for protocol developments and to show how biological products can be a safe and effective alternative to chemicals. We also take part in events, discussions, and awareness programmes to spread the word about the benefits of sustainable farming-like healthier soil, safer food, and a cleaner environment. Our goal is to help create rules that make it easier for farmers to access and use biological solutions. By working with all the right people, we are helping farming move toward a greener, more climate-friendly future. Our key message to policymakers and industry stakeholders is that there needs to be more focus on extensive activities that promote the awareness, accessibility, and adoption of biologicals across the country. This includes education campaigns, faster regulatory clearances, dedicated subsidies, and support for field validation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|