Biofertilizers are organic fertilizers that contain living
microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or algae, which have beneficial
effects on plant growth and nutrient availability in soil. These microorganisms
work symbiotically with plants or in the rhizosphere (the region of soil
surrounding plant roots), facilitating nutrient uptake, atmospheric nitrogen
fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and production of plant growth-promoting
substances. Biofertilizers are derived from natural sources and are used in
agricultural and horticultural systems as supplements or alternatives to
chemical fertilizers, with the aim of improving soil fertility, plant health, and
environmental sustainability. Common types of biofertilizers include
nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum),
phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (e.g., Bacillus and Pseudomonas), and
mycorrhizal fungi (e.g., Glomus and Trichoderma). Biofertilizers are recognized
as key components of sustainable and organic farming practices, as they can
reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promote soil health, and support
environmentally friendly agriculture.
There could
be several reasons why some farmers may perceive biofertilizers as failures:
Lack of
awareness or understanding: Farmers may not have
sufficient knowledge about the benefits, proper usage, and limitations of
biofertilizers. This lack of awareness or understanding may lead to unrealistic
expectations and disappointment if the biofertilizers do not meet their
expectations.
Variable
performance: The efficacy of
biofertilizers can vary depending on various factors, such as soil type,
climate, crop type, and application method. If farmers do not observe
consistent positive results, they may perceive biofertilizers as ineffective or
as failures.
Cost-effectiveness
concerns: Biofertilizers may sometimes be
perceived as more expensive compared to traditional chemical fertilizers, which
could deter farmers from using them or lead them to expect higher returns on
investment. If the perceived benefits do not justify the costs, farmers may
view biofertilizers as failures.
Lack of
immediate results: Biofertilizers, being
organic in nature, typically work more slowly compared to chemical fertilizers.
Farmers who expect quick and visible results may feel that biofertilizers are
not effective, leading to a perception of failure.
Negative
feedback or experiences: Farmers may have had
negative experiences or received negative feedback from other farmers regarding
the performance of biofertilizers, leading to a perception of failure without
considering the full context.
Inconsistent
quality or availability: The quality and
availability of biofertilizers in the market can vary, and if farmers encounter
issues with quality or availability, they may perceive biofertilizers as
failures.
Wrong
Storage and Transport: Most of the time
biofertilizers are kept at high temperatures or in direct sunlight during shop
storage/displaying area and transportation leads to reduce viable
microorganisms drastically and farmers get the product after long storage.
Imbalance media/cell ratio: Due to room temperature storage microorganisms continue to increase
their population in provided media and after using complete media they are
going into the death phase and decline viable microorganisms up to half.
