Sustainable Agriculture

The Sustainable Agriculture Division of TERI is committed to addressing the twin challenges of global food security and environmental sustainability in the face of a rapidly growing population. The primary orientation is on enabling a transition toward climate-resilient and resource-efficient agricultural systems by advancing science-led, nature-based solutions. Research focuses on reducing reliance on synthetic chemical inputs while enhancing soil health, carbon sequestration, nutrient use efficiency, and crop productivity along with advanced technological solutions for allied disciplines including feed for livestock, natural products and biomolecules for nutraceuticals, pest management, reclamation of industrial wastelands and amelioration of agriculture waste.

agriculture narrative

NEW IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

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  • Agricultura Coalition

     

    Event

    Ecological Restoration Project: TERI signs MoU with Hindustan Zinc Limited

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  • Mycorrhizal Research

    Event

    Design and Development of Commercial Plant Tissue Culture Lab at Guyana

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  • cooling plants

     

    Press Release

    Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited and The Energy and Resources Institute partner to establish ‘Centre of Excellence for Advanced and Sustainable Agriculture Solutions’

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  • TERI and CFCL

     

    Article

    Union Budget 2026 Signals a Shift: From Farm Subsidies to Outcome-Driven Agricultural Research

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  • cooling plants

     

    Event

    Launch of Nanofertilizers in Guyana

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Projects

Boosting_farmers

Boosting farmers’ income and reducing carbon footprint using biogenic nano-agrochemicals

TERI’s Mycorrhizal

TERI’s Mycorrhizal Platforms: Advancing Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture

TERI Advances Algae-Based

TERI Advances Algae-Based Solutions for Poultry, Aquafeeds & Cattle Nutrition

TERI-CFCL

TERI-CFCL Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Advanced and Sustainable Agriculture Solutions

TERI - Hindustan

TERI - Hindustan Zinc Limited Partnership for Waste land Reclamation

Agricultural-Residues

Value-Added Products from Agricultural Residues - Agricultural Biorefinery

Development of Commercial

Development of Commercial Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory at NAREI, Guyana by TERI

SHELL-TERI

SHELL-TERI Strategic Research: Nano fertilizers and Mycorrhizal biofertilizers to develop Package of Practice by improving soil health and reducing GHG emission

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Articles

Treethane in the Caulosphere: Unexplored Mechanisms and Climate Implication

Dr Raghab Ray

Out of over 3 trillion trees globally, more than 40% occur in (sub)tropical settings that contribute to two-thirds of all natural CH4 emissions.

Union Budget 2026 Signals a Shift: From Farm Subsidies to Outcome-Driven Agricultural Research

Dr Pushplata Singh

The Union Budget 2026 for agriculture marks a decisive recalibration of India’s farm policy, signalling a gradual transition from a subsidy-reliant, relief-driven approach to a more technology-enabled, outcome-oriented, and sustainability-focused growth paradigm.

Application of Guar Gum for Oil and Gas Industry: A Green Biopolymer

Dr Banwari Lal
,
Dr K Nanthakumar
,
Mr Shishram Chahar
,
Dr Veeranna Channashettar
,
Mr C Paul Jeyaseelan

Guar gum powder is extracted from the guar seeds after a multistage industrial process. The production technique depends upon the desired product.

Biochar and Microbial Application for Carbon Dioxide Removal

Dr Mandira Kochar
,
Mr Varun Grover

Combining biochar with soil microbial communities can enhance soil health, nutrient cycling, and agricultural productivity. Being a stable carbonaceous material, biochar offers multiple benefits by improving soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Emerging Technologies and Debates: Nano-agri-inputs and Products

Dr Pushplata Singh

Nano-agri-inputs could be the next big leap in sustainable farming, with the ability to boost yields and cut emissions—but their real-world impact will rest on scientific rigour, careful regulation, and farmer trust.

Grassroots Climate Action in Uttarakhand: Partnerships, Participation, and Progress

Dr Amit Kumar Thakur
,
Dr Dipankar Saharia

Agriculture is the backbone of the hill economy in Uttarakhand. However, most of the farming in the state is rain-fed, with irrigation facilities primarily restricted to the plains and valleys.

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Events

Ecological Restoration Project: TERI signs MoU with Hindustan Zinc Limited

June 6, 2026
to June 6, 2026

Transforming Industrial Landscapes: TERI and Hindustan Zinc Partner for Historic Ecological Restoration

SASMIRA and TERI Join Hands to Drive Sustainable Innovation for India’s Future

March 23, 2026
to March 23, 2026

The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on 3rd December 2025 at the SASMIRA Campus in Mumbai to jointly plan and implement research and development initiatives of common interest.

WSDS 2026 Thematic Track: India’s Energy Transition Scenarios in the Age of Security: Navigating Growth, Resilience and Climate Action across Multiple Possible Futures

February 25, 2026
to February 25, 2026

(i) Problem statement and state of play

India’s energy transition is unfolding at a time of profound global uncertainty. As the country advances towards its ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2047 and achieving netzero emissions by 2070, it must respond simultaneously to rising energy demand, affordability and access imperatives, and accelerating climate risks.

Agri-Inputs for Sustainable Agriculture and Climate (AISAC-2025)

November 12, 2025
to November 14, 2025

Launch of Nanofertilizers in Guyana

October 22, 2025
to October 22, 2025

Connecting Policy and Finance for Landscape Restoration in Gujarat under RECAP4NDC

September 9, 2025
to September 9, 2025

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News

SEIA 2026: Vibha Dhawan The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) receives award for Women in Agri‑Energy Leadership

June 13, 2026 |
June 13, 2026
Chinimandi

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), was honored with the Women in Agri-Energy Leadership Award at SEIA 2026 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to sustainable agriculture, bioenergy, and clean energy transitions.

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CSIR-IIIM Jammu, TERI sign MoU To Scale Up Green Pigment Production Technology

June 12, 2026 |
June 12, 2026
Daily Excelsior

CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have signed a MoU to upscale and optimize the production of an anthraquinone-based pigment from endophytic fungi through fermentation technology.

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How Nano Fertilisers Can Optimise India’s Fertiliser Subsidy Burden

May 21, 2026
| Dr Vibha Dhawan
,
| Dr Pushplata Singh
| Outlook Business

Nano fertilisers may help India cut subsidy burden while boosting sustainable agricultural productivity, writes Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General and Dr Pushplata Singh, Director, Sustainable Agriculture Division, TERI.

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Volatile Solutions: The Role of Essential Oils in Sustainable Pest Management

May 1, 2026
| Dr Mayurika Goel and Ms Mehak Kaur
| Enersider

The traditional use of essential oils as natural insect repellents recognized for their effectiveness and eco-friendly nature is being revitalized through innovative bio-based approaches for sustainable agriculture, writes Dr Mayurika Goel, Fellow and Ms Mehak Kaur, PhD, Sustainable Agriculture Division, TERI.

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Seaweed Polysaccharides: India’s Sustainable Answer to Plastic Pollution

April 28, 2026
| Dr Mayurika Goel and Mr Shubhajit Dhara, TERI
| Global Agriculture

Seaweed polysaccharide-based packaging could be developed as sustainable alternative to petroleum plastics through advancements in extraction methods, extrusion and composite film technology development, writes Dr Mayurika Goel, Fellow and Mr Shubhajit Dhara, Consultant, Sustainable Agriculture Division, TERI.

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NABARD Highlights MSME Role In Delhi Credit Growth

April 14, 2026 |
April 14, 2026
SME Street

NABARD hosts Delhi State Credit Seminar, released SFP 2026-27 with Rs2.62 lakh crore potential, focusing on MSMEs district planning, and inclusive growth. The seminar witnessed wide-ranging participation from senior leadership and eminent experts, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute also participated in the seminar. 

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Policy

Food and Land Resources: Incorporating Watershed-Based Approaches for Better Sustainability-Productivity Balance

August 4, 2021

The overall purpose of watershed programmes is to enhance incomes, provide food security through sustainable agriculture and prudent management of natural resources. This directly corresponds to SDG 1 and 2, i.e. No poverty and Zero Hunger respectively.

Guidelines for Evaluation of Nano-based Agri-input and Food Products in India

August 6, 2020

Nanobiotechnology applications in food production and agriculture have a lot of potential. However, India did not have adequate guidelines to regulate the same. Until now.

Women in agriculture: Enhancing their role and promoting sustainability and livelihood support

May 26, 2020

The paper looks at enhancing the role of women in agriculture and allied activities and providing institutional support

Discussion Paper : Organic Agriculture: An option for fostering sustainable and inclusive agriculture development in India

June 2, 2015

Land scarcity, degraded ecosystems and climate change are pressures that the agriculture sector confronts in the 21st century whilst needing to meet demands for food, feed and fibre, preserve natural resources as well as ensure profitability, economic and social equity (FAO, 2015). Industrialized agriculture,1 which is capital intensive, substituting animal and human labour with machines and purchased inputs (IAASTD, 2009) has been the favoured model for agriculture development due to its tremendous success in increasing food production.

Strengthening Agricultural Biotechnology Regulation in India

September 22, 2010

The recent decision by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to place an indefinite moratorium on the release of Bt Brinjal for commercial agriculture has brought sharp focus on the stridently polarized views across the scientific community and civil society on the benefits and costs of genetically modified crops.

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Services

Technology for reclaming wastelands

We provide expertise in greening and reclamation of wasteland to turn it into green, productive land. We do this using a beneficial group of micro-organisms known as mycorrhizal fungi. Successful examples of sites reclaimed using this technology include fly ash overburdens, alkali chlor-laden sites, distillery effluent discharge sites, phosphogypsum ponds, coal mines, red mud, saline and arid sites.

Next generation technology to produce high-quality mycorrhiza

Mycorrhiza is a biofertiliser that helps promote plant growth in an environment-friendly manner and provides several benefits during the plant cultivation stages. Our in-vitro mass production technology uses a sterile, contamination-free environment, to commerciallly produce this high-quality mycorrhiza, which is viable, healthy, and genetically pure. Our next generation technology for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is suitable for industries and requires less space for maximum recovery of propagules (up to 1000 billion propagules/annum).

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Team

Dr Vibha Dhawan

Director General

Mr Deepak Kumar

Director, Centre for Mycorrhizal Research

Dr Pushplata Singh

Director, Centre for Nano Research Area and Agricultural Biotechnology Area

Dr Shovon Mandal

Fellow and Area Convenor, Agricultural Biotechnology

Dr Shyam Sundar Sharma

Area Convener, Micropropagation Technology Park

Dr Leena Johny

Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Mycorrhizal Research

Dr Palash Kumar Manna

Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Nano Research

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Headquarters

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)         
Darbari Seth Block, Core 6C,         
India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road,         
New Delhi - 110 003, India

 
Email Us

mailbox@teri.res.in

 
Call Us

(+91 11) 2468 2100, 7110 2100