Background
To increase yield or safeguard crops against pests, farmers end up using a lot of chemical pesticide. Sustained use of this leads to severe impact on the environment, soil degradation and water pollution. This also has health risks attached as when these produce are consumed. Indian agriculture is transitioning towards natural and organic farming which uses organic input that is environment friendly and retains the nutritional value of the produce. However, to deal with pest infestation and improve fertility natural farming farmers need organic forms of manure and pesticide at large scale. Current practices of making pesticides like Jeevamrutha are manual and involve a lot of physical effort in churning. Manually produced organic pesticides and manures are also uneven in quality.
Lack of Inputs for Natural Farming
To pursue natural farming farmers, require organic fertilisers and pesticides in large quantities. However, the cost of organic fertilisers and pesticides is high which increases the input cost further. Numerous local varieties of organic fertilisers and pesticides are made by the farmers themselves through fermentation, however, at a small scale which is not sufficient for all the needs.
Overuse of Pesticides declines soil quality
Climate change intensifies the issue of soil fertility due to reduced moisture content and organic content holding capacity. It is essential to come up with nature-based solutions to revive the fertility of the soil.
Solution
A Bio-fermenter is a device that uses microorganisms to break down organic matter into useful products such as enzymes, organic acids, and biofuels. Solar-powered bio-fermenters use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity is then used to power pumps and fans that circulate water and air within the bio-fermenter.
Impact
1. Reduced input cost for organic farming
Highly nutritious produce that has a better market value.
2. Drudgery reduction by mechanizing the production of local organic fertilisers and pesticides.
3. Improved quality of organic fertilisers and pesticides.
Building Climate Resilience
Mitigation
It encourages natural farming which is beneficial for the environment as it does not use chemical-based pesticides and fertilisers which pollute the soil and water bodies. Substituting chemical fertilisers and pesticides also reduces CO2 emissions as the manufacturing of these products is emission-intensive in nature.
Adaptation
It produces organic input for farming that revives the moisture and organic content holding capacity of the soil. Through this, it increases farm resilience towards heat stress.