Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
In a significant breakthrough for the agricultural sector, a research student from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar of district Udham Singh Nagar has developed sustained-release herbicide capsules made from natural biofiber. This innovative technology is set to help rejuvenate barren land and reduce labor and costs for farmers.
Jyoti Maheshwari, a research scholar in the Department of Chemistry at CBSH College of Pant University, has created these herbicide capsules using coco peat and easily available biofiber under the guidance of Professor MGH Zaidi and Samina Mehtab. The capsules aim to restore land fertility, which is increasingly under threat due to rapid industrialization.
Speaking about her invention, Jyoti Maheshwari said, “The fibers I have used in these capsules can absorb up to 400 times their weight in moisture. By combining these fibers with herbicides using bio-hydrogel technology, barren land can regain both the moisture and essential nutrients needed for farming.”
Maheshwari’s research addresses the challenge of keeping land fertile in the face of ongoing industrial expansion. Traditionally, farmers would have to undertake a two-phase process to restore barren land. However, these new herbicide capsules can streamline the process, saving time, labor, and money.
“These capsules will dissolve in the field and, through the bio-hydrogel technology, release both moisture and the necessary fertilizer. This will help restore fertility to the land in a much shorter time,” added Maheshwari.
Her research has garnered attention from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which has awarded her a fellowship under the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) ‘Kiran’ project. This prestigious fellowship, aimed at promoting excellent research among women aged 27-40, recognizes Maheshwari’s innovative approach to addressing a critical agricultural issue. Additionally, Pant University is in the process of filing a patent for this groundbreaking technology.
Most herbicides currently available in the market are synthetic, with a primary focus on restoring fertility to barren land. Maheshwari’s idea takes this a step further by combining herbicide with a moisture-retaining biofiber to enhance land productivity. “Until now, the herbicides or solutions available in the market were synthetic,” Maheshwari said. “I wanted to find a way to naturally generate moisture in the barren land while providing the necessary nutrients. That’s how I came up with the idea of using natural fibers that retain moisture.”
“The invention holds significant promise for farmers, particularly those struggling with infertile land, and could play a key role in sustainable agriculture”, said Professor Zaidi.
