Biofertilizers in Agriculture: Implications for Environmental Sustainability with Special Reference to North East India

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports a 40% increase in global production of chemical fertilizers between 2002 and 2023, and a 34% increase in chemical fertilizer consumption during the same period. Worldwide, the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in environmental problems like air, water, and soil pollution, in addition to greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural lands. Nitrogenous fertilizers are responsible for the emission of a potent greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, which contributes significantly to global warming and climate change. Volatilization of nitrogenous fertilizers like urea releases ammonia, a significant air pollutant. Given the adverse environmental effects of chemical fertilizer overuse, the current focus has shifted towards the use of biofertilizers as a strategy for sustainable agriculture. This review paper attempts to critically analyze the existing literature on biofertilizer use in agriculture and its effectiveness in achieving sustainable mass production of crops, particularly cereal food grains, with minimum environmental impact. The current scenario of biofertilizer use in agriculture and its implications for environmental sustainability are discussed from the global, national, and regional perspectives, particularly of North East India. To what extent biofertilizers can replace chemical fertilizers without compromising global food security is a matter of discussion.