“Revolutionizing Agriculture: Using Nature’s Solutions to Reduce Fertilizer Dependency”
The global population is rapidly approaching 10 billion, leading to an increased reliance on fertilisers to sustain agricultural production. However, this practice is causing severe ecological stress, with nitrogen leaching into natural ecosystems and greenhouse gas emissions reaching critical levels. In response to this challenge, an innovative research initiative called CropSustaiN has been launched to reduce the nitrogen footprint of agriculture.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded CIMMYT a grant of up to USD 21.1 million to lead the CropSustaiN initiative, which aims to develop a breakthrough technology based on biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). This natural process suppresses soil nitrification through the release of natural compounds, potentially reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilisers by up to 20%.
By leveraging genetics in plant seeds, CropSustaiN is developing new wheat varieties that require less nitrogen fertiliser without compromising yield or soil vitality. This approach contrasts with synthetic nitrification inhibitors and offers a scalable and cost-effective solution for sustainable agriculture. The initiative also aims to validate BNI efficacy across diverse climates and integrate the technology into mainstream agricultural practices.
CropSustaiN builds on joint research by CIMMYT and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), with promising results from BNI wheat lines tested over three farming seasons. The Novo Nordisk Foundation has funded related BNI research at various institutions, fostering an ecosystem for research innovation.
Established in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is dedicated to improving health and sustainability through research and innovation. CIMMYT, a non-profit international organization, is focused on enhancing the productivity and resilience of production systems for cereals like maize and wheat, particularly in the Global South.
The CropSustaiN initiative represents a pioneering effort to revolutionise nitrogen management in agriculture, with the potential to benefit both the planet and farmers’ livelihoods. By making the developed seeds accessible to all farmers without exclusive patent rights, the initiative aims to promote inclusive agricultural innovation. This groundbreaking approach could lead to a paradigm shift in agricultural practices worldwide.
For more information, contact Jakob Stein, Communications Specialist at [email protected]. Visit www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en and www.cimmyt.org for additional details on the Novo Nordisk Foundation and CIMMYT, respectively.