About Database

The role of microorganisms in soil fertility and agricultural productivity is obvious and well understood. Numerous applications of microorganisms in agriculture have been documented till date. Microorganisms have been utilized for crop production especially in the area of stimulating plant growth, increasing nutrient availability, controlling soil-borne pathogens, alleviating abiotic stresses, accelerating decomposition of organic materials and many more. The research institutes under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural universities are engaged in developing microbe based technologies for application in agriculture and allied sector. Till date, neither we have any comprehensive record of such technologies nor do the industries have an organized access to such information. Moreover, many issues like validation of the technologies in multiple locations, over a number of years and toxicological studies have limited the commercialization process.

Hence, ICAR-NBAIM has developed a database of all such microbe based technologies available in the research institutes and universities in National Agricultural Research System (NARS) so that all the information is available in a single place. It will be a platform to showcase the technologies developed at NARS and will also be helpful for the industries to choose the technologies for commercialization. The database will present a brief description (type of formulation, microorganisms, effect on crops, patent related information etc.) of the technologies along with contact details of the concerned organization so that interested industries can directly contact them. Access of this information will also help the researchers and industries to identify the technologies which require refinement and marketing respectively.

Identifying and analyzing the key issues in commercialization will help to increase the marketing of the technologies which in turn will help to reach the technologies from lab to land in a better way. This database is being developed under the project “Inventorization of microbe-based technologies development in National Agricultural Research System (NARS) for catalyzing their effective translation” funded by Dept. Sci Indus Res, Govt. of India. Aim of the portal is to explore the microbial diversities and their applications in agricultural fields, based on formulation developed. Also, the portal acts as a gateway for the researchers to identify the areas for technologies which need to be further emphasized and technologies which may require further refinements. A status report of these technologies will help make policy development.