Biofertilisers Can Cut Some Fertiliser Use, What Should Farmers Know?

Biofertilisers are gaining attention as farmers look for ways to manage fertiliser costs while maintaining soil health. These products contain useful microorganisms that can help make nutrients available to crops. ICAR is now promoting several microbial formulations, including a new consortium designed to support nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrition.

One recent example is KASHI AZOBC, developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi. The product combines microorganisms that fix nitrogen, solubilise phosphorus and mobilise potassium. ICAR says the formulation can help reduce recommended chemical NPK doses by about 20–25% when soil conditions and agronomic practices are suitable.

That does not mean farmers can simply stop using chemical fertilisers. Biofertilisers work best as part of integrated nutrient management. Soil testing, organic manure, crop needs and existing nutrient levels should guide the final fertiliser plan. Farmers should not replace a recommended fertiliser dose without checking local agricultural advice.

What Do Biofertilisers Actually Do?

Microorganisms used in biofertilisers perform different functions in the soil. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria can help supply nitrogen, while phosphate-solubilising microbes make some forms of phosphorus more available. Other microbes can help release potassium or zinc. Their role is to improve nutrient availability rather than act like conventional fertilisers themselves.

KASHI AZOBC contains three bacterial groups with complementary functions. ICAR says Azotobacter fixes atmospheric nitrogen, Bacillus subtilis helps solubilise phosphorus, and Paenibacillus mobilises potassium while also activating soil zinc. The formulation is available as liquid, powder and granules for different application methods.

ICAR has tested KASHI AZOBC in crops including tomato, brinjal, chilli and pea. Its trials reported improved fruit quality, including higher levels of some beneficial compounds. The institute says repeated applications can also support microbial activity and organic matter turnover, making the product suitable for organic and natural farming systems.

The main attraction for farmers is the possibility of reducing part of the chemical fertiliser requirement. ICAR says KASHI AZOBC can help minimise recommended NPK doses by nearly 20–25% under suitable soil and agronomic conditions. The actual saving will depend on the crop, soil, fertiliser prices and management.

Farmers should first test their soil and understand which nutrients are deficient. A biofertiliser cannot correct every nutrient deficiency. If a soil lacks a major nutrient, farmers may still need conventional fertilisers or other inputs. The aim is balanced nutrition, not replacing every chemical input with a biological product.

Recent ICAR field programmes show that scientists are teaching farmers how to use these products correctly. In Mau, Uttar Pradesh, ICAR-NBAIM demonstrated Bio-NPK and distributed microbial inputs to farmers. In Goa, scientists demonstrated Bio-Zinc application in paddy and explained how it can improve zinc availability.

How Should Farmers Apply Them?

Application depends on the product. KASHI AZOBC liquid is recommended for seed treatment, root or seedling dips and soil application. ICAR advises farmers to follow the prescribed dose rather than assuming that more product will give better results. Different formulations also have different handling and application requirements.

For soil application, ICAR recommends mixing KASHI AZOBC with well-decomposed farmyard manure or vermicompost before applying it to moist soil. The institute also advises keeping the product away from direct sunlight and not using it together with fungicides, bactericides or chemical pesticides at the same time.

Farmers should also check the label, manufacturing date, expiry date and recommended crop before buying a biofertiliser. Quality matters because these products depend on living microorganisms. The government has notified quality standards for biofertilisers under the Fertiliser Control Order, and manufacturers are required to follow those standards.

Is Government Support Available?

The government promotes biofertilisers through programmes supporting organic and sustainable farming. Under PKVY, farmers can receive financial assistance for organic inputs, including biofertilisers, subject to scheme conditions. The government has also supported training, demonstrations and the development of crop- and soil-specific microbial strains.

In August 2026, ICAR-NBAIM transferred three biofertiliser technologies, BioNPK, BioGrow and BioPhos, to a Telangana-based company for commercial production and wider farmer access. This shows that more ICAR-developed microbial products are moving from research programmes towards commercial availability.

For farmers, the practical lesson is to treat biofertilisers as one part of a nutrient-management plan. Start with a soil test, select a product suited to the crop, follow the recommended application method and track crop performance. This approach can help farmers judge whether the input actually reduces costs or improves farm returns.