Pakistani farmers may soon be able to replace costly chemical fertilizers with a bacterial alternative that can be produced for under Rs. 600 (~$2) per use and has the potential to improve crop yields while reducing input costs.
The idea is based on 40 years of research by Brazilian microbiologist Mariangela Hungria, who was recently awarded the World Food Prize for her work on soil microbes that naturally enhance plant growth.
Her research shows that certain bacteria living in soil can act as biological fertilizers, helping crops absorb nutrients more efficiently without heavy reliance on synthetic chemicals.
Hungria focused on bacteria such as rhizobia, which form a symbiotic relationship with soybean roots and convert nitrogen from the air into a plant-usable form. She also studied Azospirillum, a microbe that stimulates root growth and improves nutrient uptake in crops, including corn, wheat, and pasture grasses.
Her work led to the large-scale adoption of microbial seed treatments in Brazil, where many major crops are now coated with beneficial bacteria before planting. This practice has helped reduce fertilizer use, lower production costs, and maintain strong agricultural yields.
The success of microbial farming in Brazil is linked to long-term scientific validation and strict regulation, where only proven biological products are allowed in the market.
Similar bacterial technologies could offer cost-saving solutions in countries like Pakistan as well, though effectiveness depends on the willingness of local commercial growers to replace chemical fertilizers with safe solutions.
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