The Project
| Name | MORE PRODUCTION USING LESS AGRI INPUTS WHILE REJUVENATING OUR SOILS by HARNESSING SUSTAINABLE PLANT MICROBIOMES (RESTORSOIL) |
|---|---|
| Executive Summary | With the long-term view of fostering synergies between crop production, functional soil biodiversity and the delivery of a multitude of ecosystem services of relevance, the next generation mycorrhizal and microbiome-based biofertilizers can reduce the use of external chemical inputs while increasing crop production and soil health. Such interventions can be tailored to enhance plant qualities, soil properties and soil biodiversity along with sustained delivery of ecosystem services, soil organic carbon sequestration leading to augmented agricultural outputs as well as better soils. These can equip plants to respond to changing climates thereby leading to climate resilience. FAO indicated that 1/3rd of world’s soil is degraded (FAO, 2015). Even though a 50% increase in food demand is expected by 2050, achievement of this aim is likely to be jeopardized leading to serious concerns on food security. A healthy soil that can provide balanced nutrients to plants is essential for good crop production and higher immunity against biotic and abiotic factors. However, the situation is becoming exacerbated through excessive use of synthetic chemicals to increase crop production. Soils are becoming depleted in their carbon content, nitrate polluted ground water, and more nitrous oxide emissions into the air. At TERI, our Sustainable Agriculture Programme is a leading technology and product developer of bio -Agri inputs such as mycorrhiza and plant growth-enhancing bacteria. These technologies have been proven across different soils and countries in the world with pan India impacts. As a leading and responsible Fertilizer Company, we sincerely hope you will take the lead in promoting the use of bio- Agri inputs not only for productivity enhancement, crop nutrition and plant health but also with a renewed emphasis on revitalizing our deteriorating soils with balanced nutrition with a win-win situation for you, the farmer, and our country. |
| Relevance for 4 per 1000 | Climate change is leading to increasingly frequent and unexpected environment fluctuations worldwide which is significantly impacting soil health and quality along with food security. The soil microbiome- a functional network of microbes, influences the soil rhizosphere environment by balancing plant nutrition and soil properties. Rhizosphere microbiomes can improve plant growth and increase crop resilience in climatic fluctuations alongside nutrient modulations, carbon sequestration, soil benefits, positive impacts on soil microflora diversity and recruitment of synergistic microbes. Functional microbiomes not only provide multiple benefits to soil and plant health but also complements mitigation of extreme weather challenges faced by our farming communities. |
| Target countries | India |
| Beneficiaries | Farmers, SHGs, FPOs, Fertilizer Companies |
| Estimated Duration (months) | 60 |
| Estimated Budget (USD) | 1788055 |
| Project stage | Proposal stage |
| FASP Language | English |
The Project Owner
| Lead Organization | The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Organization type | NGO |
| 4p1000 Membership | yes |
Alignment with the "4 per 1000" Strategy
| Main Objective | C2 Urge Soil Regeneration (GF) |
|---|---|
| Main Activity | C2.7 Co-create sustainable soil and land management practices |
Other Activities | C2.8 Generate income opportunities |
| Other Objectives | A6 Conceptual Framework (CF) |
