Shift from inorganic to organic fertilisers to fight climate change

What you need to know:
- A significant, yet often overlooked contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is the use of inorganic (synthetic) fertilisers in agriculture.
As the world faces the growing crisis of climate change, every sector including agriculture must reassess its practices.
A significant, yet often overlooked contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is the use of inorganic (synthetic) fertilisers in agriculture. While these fertilisers have long been a staple for boosting crop yields, their environmental impact is undeniable.
Shifting towards organic fertilisers presents a viable, sustainable solution that can help mitigate climate change while promoting healthier ecosystems and communities.
Inorganic fertilisers, such as ammonium nitrate and urea, are widely used to increase agricultural productivity. However, the production and use of these fertilisers come at a steep environmental cost. According to the International Fertiliser Association (IFA), nitrogen fertilisers account for about 5 to 7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The synthesis of these fertilisers is energy-intensive, primarily relying on fossil fuels, and the release of nitrous oxide during their use further exacerbates global warming. Additionally, the excessive use of synthetic fertilisers leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.
When fertilisers are applied in excess, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus run off into rivers and lakes, causing algal blooms and dead zones in aquatic ecosystems. These environmental impacts not only contribute to climate change but also undermine the long-term viability of agricultural practices.
Organic fertilisers derived from natural sources like compost, manure, and plant-base materials offer a more sustainable alternative. When applied to soil, organic fertilisers provide essential nutrients while also improving soil health. Over time, they increase soil organic matter, which enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and sequester carbon.
This process is crucial in the fight against climate change, as healthy soils act as carbon sinks, storing carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
Research has shown that organic farming practices can have a significant carbon sequestration potential. Furthermore, organic farming reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, thus cutting down on the emissions associated with their production and use.
Synthetic fertilisers contribute significantly to global warming through the release of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Reducing the use of these fertilisers is an effective way to mitigate climate change. Organic fertilisers improve soil structure and promote carbon storage in the soil, helping to counteract the loss of carbon from intensive agricultural practices.
Organic matter in fertilisers enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation. This is especially important as climate change is exacerbating water scarcity in many regions of the world. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, which often kill beneficial soil microbes and organisms, organic fertilisers enhance biodiversity in the soil, leading to more resilient ecosystems.
Excessive use of inorganic fertilisers can result in chemical residues in food, water, and air, posing risks to human and animal health. Organic fertilisers, being natural, do not carry the same level of to Governments must create policies that encourage organic farming. This can include subsidies for organic fertiliser production, tax breaks for farmers who switch to organic practices, and financial incentives for research and development of organic alternatives. Many farmers, particularly in developing countries, may be hesitant to switch to organic fertilisers due to concerns about cost and yield. Providing education and training on the benefits and application of organic fertilisers is crucial. Demonstration farms and knowledge-sharing networks can play a significant role in this transition.
While organic fertilisers are not a new concept, there is still much to learn about optimising their use. Investment in research can help improve the efficiency of organic fertilisers and make them more accessible to farmers worldwide. Innovations in bio-based fertilisers and soil health management practices should be prioritised.
The shift from inorganic to organic fertilisers is not just a sustainable agricultural practice it's a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and promoting biodiversity, organic fertilisers offer a holistic solution that benefits both the environment and the economy. However, achieving this shift requires strong political will, investment in research and education, and a concerted effort by farmers, consumers, and governments alike.
As the world faces the growing crisis of climate change, every sector including agriculture must reassess its practices. A significant, yet often overlooked contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is the use of inorganic (synthetic) fertilisers in agriculture. While these fertilisers have long been a staple for boosting crop yields, their environmental impact is undeniable.
Shifting towards organic fertilisers presents a viable, sustainable solution that can help mitigate climate change while promoting healthier ecosystems and communities. Inorganic fertilisers, such as ammonium nitrate and urea, are widely used to increase agricultural productivity. However, the production and use of these fertilisers come at a steep environmental cost.
According to the International Fertiliser Association (IFA), nitrogen fertilisers account for about 5 to 7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The synthesis of these fertilisers is energy-intensive, primarily relying on fossil fuels, and the release of nitrous oxide during their use further exacerbates global warming. Additionally, the excessive use of synthetic fertilisers leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity. When fertilisers are applied in excess, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus run off into rivers and lakes, causing algal blooms and dead zones in aquatic ecosystems.
These environmental impacts not only contribute to climate change but also undermine the long-term viability of agricultural practices. Organic fertilisers derived from natural sources like compost, manure, and plant-base materials offer a more sustainable alternative. When applied to soil, organic fertilisers provide essential nutrients while also improving soil health.
Over time, they increase soil organic matter, which enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and sequester carbon. This process is crucial in the fight against climate change, as healthy soils act as carbon sinks, storing carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Research has shown that organic farming practices can have a significant carbon sequestration potential.
Furthermore, organic farming reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, thus cutting down on the emissions associated with their production and use.
Synthetic fertilisers contribute significantly to global warming through the release of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Reducing the use of these fertilisers is an effective way to mitigate climate change. Organic fertilisers improve soil structure and promote carbon storage in the soil, helping to counteract the loss of carbon from intensive agricultural practices. Organic matter in fertilisers enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation.
This is especially important as climate change is exacerbating water scarcity in many regions of the world. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, which often kill beneficial soil microbes and organisms, organic fertilisers enhance biodiversity in the soil, leading to more resilient ecosystems.
Excessive use of inorganic fertilisers can result in chemical residues in food, water, and air, posing risks to human and animal health. Organic fertilisers, being natural, do not carry the same level of to Governments must create policies that encourage organic farming.
This can include subsidies for organic fertiliser production, tax breaks for farmers who switch to organic practices, and financial incentives for research and development of organic alternatives. Many farmers, particularly in developing countries, may be hesitant to switch to organic fertilisers due to concerns about cost and yield. Providing education and training on the benefits and application of organic fertilisers is crucial. Demonstration farms and knowledge-sharing networks can play a significant role in this transition.
While organic fertilisers are not a new concept, there is still much to learn about optimising their use. Investment in research can help improve the efficiency of organic fertilisers and make them more accessible to farmers worldwide. Innovations in bio-based fertilisers and soil health management practices should be prioritised. The shift from inorganic to organic fertilisers is not just a sustainable agricultural practice it's a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and promoting biodiversity, organic fertilisers offer a holistic solution that benefits both the environment and the economy.
However, achieving this shift requires strong political will, investment in research and education, and a concerted effort by farmers, consumers, and governments alike. As the world faces the growing crisis of climate change, every sector including agriculture must reassess its practices.
A significant, yet often overlooked contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is the use of inorganic (synthetic) fertilisers in agriculture. While these fertilisers have long been a staple for boosting crop yields, their environmental impact is undeniable. Shifting towards organic fertilisers presents a viable, sustainable solution that can help mitigate climate change while promoting healthier ecosystems and communities. Inorganic fertilisers, such as ammonium nitrate and urea, are widely used to increase agricultural productivity.
However, the production and use of these fertilisers come at a steep environmental cost. According to the International Fertiliser Association (IFA), nitrogen fertilisers account for about 5 to 7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The synthesis of these fertilisers is energy-intensive, primarily relying on fossil fuels, and the release of nitrous oxide during their use further exacerbates global warming. Additionally, the excessive use of synthetic fertilisers leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.
When fertilisers are applied in excess, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus run off into rivers and lakes, causing algal blooms and dead zones in aquatic ecosystems. These environmental impacts not only contribute to climate change but also undermine the long-term viability of agricultural practices. Organic fertilisers derived from natural sources like compost, manure, and plant-base materials offer a more sustainable alternative. When applied to soil, organic fertilisers provide essential nutrients while also improving soil health. Over time, they increase soil organic matter, which enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and sequester carbon.
This process is crucial in the fight against climate change, as healthy soils act as carbon sinks, storing carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Research has shown that organic farming practices can have a significant carbon sequestration potential. Furthermore, organic farming reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, thus cutting down on the emissions associated with their production and use. Synthetic fertilisers contribute significantly to global warming through the release of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Reducing the use of these fertilisers is an effective way to mitigate climate change.
Organic fertilisers improve soil structure and promote carbon storage in the soil, helping to counteract the loss of carbon from intensive agricultural practices. Organic matter in fertilisers enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation. This is especially important as climate change is exacerbating water scarcity in many regions of the world. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, which often kill beneficial soil microbes and organisms, organic fertilisers enhance biodiversity in the soil, leading to more resilient ecosystems. Excessive use of inorganic fertilisers can result in chemical residues in food, water, and air, posing risks to human and animal health. Organic fertilisers, being natural, do not carry the same level of to Governments must create policies that encourage organic farming. This can include subsidies for organic fertiliser production, tax breaks for farmers who switch to organic practices, and financial incentives for research and development of organic alternatives.
Many farmers, particularly in developing countries, may be hesitant to switch to organic fertilisers due to concerns about cost and yield. Providing education and training on the benefits and application of organic fertilisers is crucial. Demonstration farms and knowledge-sharing networks can play a significant role in this transition. While organic fertilisers are not a new concept, there is still much to learn about optimising their use. Investment in research can help improve the efficiency of organic fertilisers and make them more accessible to farmers worldwide. Innovations in bio-based fertilisers and soil health management practices should be prioritised. The shift from inorganic to organic fertilisers is not just a sustainable agricultural practice it's a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and promoting biodiversity, organic fertilisers offer a holistic solution that benefits both the environment and the economy.
However, achieving this shift requires strong political will, investment in research and education, and a concerted effort by farmers, consumers, and governments alike.
Leticia Ahirirwe,
Communications officer,
Women for Green Economy