India turns to biofertilizers as Mideast war threatens fertilizer supply

Under a shed in north India, women mix cow dung, unrefined sugar and flour to produce biofertilizer, part of a growing effort to ease anxiety over chemical fertilizer supplies.

Demand for the organic blend has risen in recent weeks as farmers prepare for the monsoon planting season. Concerns are mounting over the availability of diammonium phosphate (DAP), a key chemical fertilizer ingredient.

Why is India's fertilizer supply at risk?

India's fertilizer supply is under strain because the Middle East conflict has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for imports. India is one of the world's largest fertilizer consumers, using about 63 million tons annually.

The disruption has heightened unease among farmers ahead of the July-October sowing season.

What is driving demand for biofertilizers?

While biofertilizers remain a niche input, interest is being driven by supply uncertainty, government promotion of sustainable farming and growing awareness of soil degradation.

The domestic biofertilizer market is valued at roughly $150 million and is expanding about 10 percent a year as more farmers experiment with alternatives. "We started thinking about what would benefit small farmers and improve soil health," said Kamlesh Devi, 57, managing director of Tappal Samriddhi Mahila Kisan Limited, which runs a biofertilizer unit in Uttar Pradesh.

This aerial photograph taken on June 9, 2026 shows a biofertiliser plant beside agricultural fields in Bharatpur village near Uttar Pradesh's Tappal town.AFP

Formed under the government's Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) program, the company has 1,050 women members across 92 villages and has been designated a "Lighthouse FPO," a model intended for replication elsewhere. "Small land-holding farmers struggle to get enough fertilizer, so we thought our FPO can help them," Devi told AFP.

How are biofertilizers made and who makes them?

The women draw on traditional knowledge and expert support to prepare the biofertilizer from locally available raw materials. Unlike chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers contain live microorganisms that help plants access nutrients already present in the soil. For many women in Tappal village, the work has become a source of empowerment, in a community where they were traditionally expected to focus on household duties.

"We used to remain inside the house," said Joginder, a member who goes by one name. "Earlier my husband handled all farming decisions. Now I can advise him on what to use in the fields and when." The unit has supplied roughly 200 farmers this season, mostly in nearby villages, while similar initiatives are being promoted across other states as part of a broader national push toward sustainable agriculture.

Why are farmers stockpiling urea and DAP?

The Tappal unit was established last year, before the latest geopolitical tensions, but demand has picked up as farmers brace for possible shortages despite government assurances of adequate stock. "There is concern among farmers, especially about urea availability," said Amit Chauhan, head of Bharatpur village, adding that some growers had begun stockpiling.

Kishan Prasad, a farmer in a nearby village, said he had already stored 40 sacks of urea, used in rice cultivation. "There are rumors we may not get DAP and urea," he said. "We need it for the paddy season, so I had to ensure I had enough."

Are biofertilizers cheaper than chemical fertilizers?

The Tappal biofertilizer sells for 300 rupees ($3.13) per 40-kilogram bag, compared with 266 rupees for a subsidized 50-kg bag of urea and about 1,350 rupees for 50 kg of DAP. Biofertilizers are not a direct replacement for chemical inputs, but proponents say they can reduce dependence on them. Neetu, a 28-year-old farmer, said she used the product on her pearl millet crop and cut urea use by about one-third without affecting yields. "For paddy too, I plan to reduce chemical fertilizer use," she said.

Can biofertilizers fully replace chemical fertilizers?

Experts caution that biofertilizers alone cannot meet India's needs. "Biofertilizers are eco-friendly and cost-effective supplements of chemical fertilizers," said Brijesh Mishra, principal scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Adoption remains limited partly because benefits build gradually and the same composition cannot be used across all crops, complicating use.

"Farmers often expect immediate results and sometimes use only one type of biofertilizer, which limits effectiveness," Mishra said. "Different crops require different combinations, and the benefits build gradually over time."

Do biofertilizers help the environment?

Interest in biofertilizers is also tied to environmental concerns. Researchers say the products increase organic carbon in the soil, contributing to carbon sequestration. A 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization warned that rising nitrous oxide emissions linked to fertilizer use are threatening climate goals. Mishra said reducing chemical fertilizer use can lower the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its manufacture and transport.

For the women in Tappal, however, the goal is more immediate. "It is enough for us that our land's soil health improves," said Suman, another managing director at Tappal Samriddhi Mahila Kisan.

"We used to have the most healthy soil earlier; we just want that back," she added.