Yielding rich dividends

On the exact nature of the product:This is essentially a bio-fertiliser, used to facilitate a richer crop. What's different is the liquid...

On the exact nature of the product:
This is essentially a bio-fertiliser, used to facilitate a richer crop. What8217;s different is the liquid form. We have had experiments in this field, but it was mostly powder that was used. However, when used as a liquid, especially on foliage, it has certain inherent advantages.

On how the idea took root:
I was a medical student at the B.J. Medical College, but withdrew in the third year to join my father 8211; a crop physiologist 8211; in his research in 1977. Seeing his dedication to the field of research, despite his age and ailing health, I, too, was motivated.

This particular research germinated in 1980. Till then, most of the products we were using as bio-fertilisers were imported, mostly from Russia. But the nature of the soil naturally differed, and the farmers did not benefit. That was when we thought of indigenous production, and I began to study isolated strains of bacteria found here.

On the actual research:
A gigantic task, we attempted to study the characteristics of each bacterium, and I was particularly interested in a type called azotobacter 8211; a free-living micro-organism that fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere and gives it to all types of plants.

Working further in the field, we were able to discern the inherent advantages of using the liquid 8211; less quantity was required, it could be stored at a temperature upto 70 degrees, the farmers could actually see the results on their crops which normally takes a longer time in powder bio-fertilisers, moreover, we could control their regeneration so that the soil got maximum benefit.

Ten years of research in our laboratory on Sinhagad Road, and we were ready to market our product.

On the marketing strategy:
Avoiding the usual process of dealers and middlemen, we got in touch directly with the farmer 8211; the end user 8211; in ways he would appreciate. We had agricultural students who went from field-to-field, and introduced various schemes whereby the farmer would benefit most. In this, my associate, Sandeepa Inamdar, a qualified microbiologist, did a lot of commendable work. By the end of the research, I was concentrating on the marketing techniques, while she handled the lab. For this, she would constantly be on the field, so that a direct interaction with the farmers could provide her with invaluable inputs to make any required changes.

Beginning with the grape growers, we then targeted the sugarcane industry 8211; a very organised industrial sector, advocating a 15 per cent increase in yield. Acquiring the patent in 1997, farmers have actually begun to use the bio-fertiliser.

On the selection for the award:
Along with marketing it, we also gave our invention for evaluation to various institutes and universities. The acquisition of the patent saw the NRDC interested, and we got a form from them for nomination to the award 8211; a procedure not generally followed. A rigorous scrutiny followed. Finding it commercially viable and advantageous, the NRDC selected us for the award.