Bihar can cut fertilizer use up to 40% without affecting yield: BAU VC

Bhagalpur: On World Environment Day, Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, in collaboration with the Indian Society of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (ISSLUP), Sabour chapter, organised a brainstorming session on “Strategies to curtail fertilizer consumption in Bihar” on Friday.

The programme, organised by BAU’s department of soil science, focused on scientific, technological, biological and policy interventions to reduce fertilizer use while sustaining agricultural productivity and improving environmental quality.

Held under the patronage of BAU vice-chancellor D R Singh, the session highlighted the need for balanced nutrient management amid rising fertilizer costs, declining nutrient-use efficiency and growing environmental concerns linked to excessive fertilizer application.

Participants stressed the importance of integrated nutrient management, soil test-based fertilizer recommendations and precision nutrient management to improve fertilizer-use efficiency and promote long-term agricultural sustainability in Bihar.

The technical session featured presentations by experts on natural farming, nutrient recycling, soil health restoration through organic alternatives, microbial inoculants, vermicomposting and the role of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in reducing chemical fertilizer consumption and enhancing nutrient-use efficiency.

Experts also underscored the potential of spectroscopy-based soil fertility diagnosis for rapid, non-destructive and cost-effective assessment of soil health. They said integrating such technologies with digital soil mapping and geospatial tools could enable precise fertilizer recommendations.

The presentations were followed by an interactive discussion in which participants suggested practical measures to curb fertilizer consumption in Bihar and contributed inputs for a policy brief and future action plan on sustainable nutrient management.

Addressing the gathering, the VC said Bihar has the potential to reduce inorganic fertilizer consumption by 20% to 40% through improved nutrient management practices without compromising crop productivity. He said future policies and targeted strategies could help achieve sustainable nutrient management in the state.