CFCL and TERI Forge Partnership for Sustainable Agricultural Innovations
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New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (CFCL) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have entered into a partnership to establish the CFCL-TERI Centre of Excellence for Advanced and Sustainable Agriculture Solutions on Monday.
The agreement was finalized by Abhay Baijal, Managing Director of CFCL, and Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI.
This collaborative effort is designed to tackle critical issues within the Indian agricultural landscape, including stagnant productivity, soil health deterioration, inefficient nutrient usage, diminished resistance to chemicals, and the adverse effects of excessive synthetic inputs on both the environment and public health.
Innovative biogenic solutions will be developed, including nano-biotechnology alternative fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, bio-stimulants, biological control agents, and biopesticides. These solutions are designed to be environmentally friendly and beneficial to farmers, offering an improved benefit-to-cost ratio.
With financial support from CFCL over the next five years, TERI will conduct comprehensive research, leading to the joint development of products that complement chemical agricultural inputs.
Vibha Dhawan emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "The growing global population presents food security challenges, necessitating a 70% increase in food production by 2050. Traditional chemicals alone cannot meet these demands or protect crops from pathogens."
"The Indian government, through the PM PRANAAM scheme, is actively promoting alternative fertilizers and biogenic agricultural inputs. TERI is a leader in this field, and this collaboration with strong industry partners like CFCL has the potential to introduce advanced biological solutions that address various food security, health, and environmental issues," she added.
Abhay Baijal expressed confidence in the collaboration, noting, "The success of Uttam Superrhiza and the positive reception of Uttam Pranaam Bio-Phosphorous inspired us to create this joint Centre of Excellence, focusing on sustainability through bio-based agricultural methods in India."
"This initiative enhances our long-standing partnership with TERI, aiming to develop sustainable agricultural bio-solutions that benefit both the agricultural sector and the environment. The Centre of Excellence aligns with the Indian government's BioE3 initiative, which promotes bio-manufacturing industries. By combining TERI's research strength with CFCL's market knowledge, we aim to develop innovative, eco-friendly agricultural solutions that improve soil and environmental health, bolster climate resilience, and support food security," he remarked.
The partnership between CFCL and TERI represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, promising substantial benefits for both farmers and the environment.
