IIT-K develops cost-effective organic fertilizer

Lucknow: IIT Kanpur has successfully produced organic fertiliser using genetic engineering technology based on cow dung, cow urine and microbial research.

This organic fertiliser will be 15 times more effective than traditional organic manure. Also, its nutritional capacity will be nearly five times higher, while the time required for its preparation will be reduced by up to 10 times. State govt is viewing this as a new model for agriculture, cow protection and rural employment.

Developed by IIT Kanpur’s PhD researcher Akshay Srivastava, the technology combines genetic engineering, enzyme extraction, microbial isolation and biopolymer development with natural resources based on cow dung and cow urine to prepare high-quality organic and natural fertilisers.

The researchers have developed a crop-specific microbial concentrate, through which nearly 2,000kg of organic fertiliser can be produced using just 1kg of microbial concentrate. This technology will not only reduce farming costs but also improve soil fertility.

Initial plan is to prepare 50kg bags of organic fertiliser. The requirement in fields has been estimated around 350-400kg per hectare, which is significantly lower compared with traditional organic fertilisers.

This will substantially reduce transportation, labour and usage costs for farmers. The cost of fertiliser prepared through this technology will also be lower.

The product has been tested and certified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research on more than 40 quality and nutritional standards.

This fertiliser is primarily being prepared from cow dung, cow urine, agricultural waste and natural organic sources. With the help of microbial processing and enzyme extraction technology, its nutritional capacity has been increased manifold.

Work is underway on special microbial technologies for biogas production based on cow dung. After biogas generation, the remaining slurry and waste biomass are being used to prepare high-quality customised organic fertilisers within just 3 to 4 days.

State govt is preparing to develop this technology as a model for self-reliant cow shelters. Under this initiative, cow shelters will not remain merely centres for cattle protection, but will also become hubs for organic fertiliser production, biogas generation and additional income generation.

The model is being implemented in collaboration with women self-help groups, farmer producer organisations and local farmers across the state.

Under this project, women SHGs are being connected with training, production and distribution activities. This will create new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship for rural women.

UP Cow Service Commission chairman Shyam Bihari Gupta said if this model proves successful on a large scale, UP would emerge as the country’s largest centre for cow-based scientific farming and organic fertiliser technology.