The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed a technology, called ‘Pusa Decomposer’, which is the bio-decomposer technique of converting crop stubble into compost.
- Technology is a microbial-based strategy (liquid formulation & capsules) which degrades the waste (pit or windrows) and converts into nutrient-enriched compost.
- The technique involves making a liquid formulation using decomposer capsules and readily available inputs, fermenting it over 8-10 days and then spraying the mixture on fields with crop stubble to ensure speedy bio-decomposition of the stubble.
- It is is deemed a cost-effective way to deal with air pollution caused due to crop stubble burning.
- When the farmer sprays the liquid mix on the stubble, the stubble softens and melts down in 20 days. The farmer can then begin sowing again and he does not need to burn the crop stubble.
- This improves the fertility and productivity of the soil as the stubble works as manure and compost for the crops and lesser fertiliser consumption is required in the future.
- The soil loses its richness due to stubble burning and it also destroys the useful bacteria and fungi in the soil, apart from causing harm to the environment.
(Source: IARI and The Hindu)
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