Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health: A Comprehensive Review of Bio-Inputs

Shaziya Qayum

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.58800

Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health: A Comprehensive Review of Bio-Inputs

Author(s)	Shaziya Qayum
Country	India
Abstract	Sustainable agriculture has emerged as a critical priority in the 21st century, addressing the dual challenges of food security and environmental degradation. Soil health, defined as the ability of soil to function as a living ecosystem, is central to this transformation. It determines crop productivity, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem resilience. However, over the past decades, unsustainable agricultural practices—excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, intensive tillage, and monocropping—have led to a 38% global decline in soil microbial diversity (FAO, 2020) and nearly 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil lost annually due to erosion. In contrast, sustainable and organic farming practices, particularly those utilizing bio-inputs such as biofertilizers, biopesticides, green manure, and compost, have shown significant promise in restoring soil health. Research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicates that the use of biofertilizers can reduce chemical fertilizer consumption by 25–50%, while also enhancing soil organic carbon levels. A 10-year study by the Rodale Institute in the U.S. showed that organic systems produce yields 90–95% equal to or greater than conventional systems during drought years, due to improved soil moisture retention and structure. Bio-inputs like Azotobacter, Rhizobium, Trichoderma, and Mycorrhiza fungi improve nutrient uptake, suppress pathogens, and promote root health. The Government of India, under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), has promoted organic clusters and bio-input use across over 10 lakh hectares to boost sustainable farming. Moreover, vermicompost and compost-based farming is being adopted by small and marginal farmers to reduce costs and regenerate degraded soils. This review underscores the need for a shift toward agroecological models that integrate traditional knowledge with modern science. Strengthening farmer awareness, investing in bio-input supply chains, and supportive policy frameworks are essential for ensuring soil health, long-term productivity, and climate-resilient agriculture.
Keywords	Soil Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Bio-inputs, Organic Farming, Agroecology
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2025
Published On	2025-10-24
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.58800

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Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health: A Comprehensive Review of Bio-Inputs

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