What is the Micro Green Revolution?
Nitrogen is key for plant growth. The Micro Green Revolution is the method to supply nitrogen to the plant through a process known as biological nitrogen fixation.
- Biological nitrogen fixation is a natural process in which naturally occurring microorganisms convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plant roots can absorb from soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers.
- i.e., bacteria and other microorganisms supply nitrogen to the plant naturally.
- Crops form a mutually beneficial relationship with soil bacteria that provide them with nitrogen.
Features of the Micro Green Revolution
- It reduced the environmental impact of agriculture.
- It lessened farmers’ dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Why is the Micro Green Revolution in the news?
- Brazilian scientist Mariangela Hungria has won the 2025 World Food Prize for her pioneering work in reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and developing biological seed and soil treatments to boost crop yields and nutrition.
- She developed dozens of biological treatments that enabled crops to absorb nutrients from soil bacteria, enhancing the productivity of wheat, maize, rice, beans, and especially soybeans.
- Brazilian farmers were estimated to have saved up to $40 billion annually in input costs due to the technologies Hungria developed.
Difference Between the Green Revolution and the Micro Green Revolution
The Green Revolution focused on increasing crop yields through the adoption of high-yielding varieties of seeds, irrigation, and chemical fertilizers, primarily in staple crops like wheat and rice. In contrast, the Microgreen Revolution is focused on cultivating nutrient-rich, young seedlings of various vegetables and herbs for human consumption through biological nitrogen fixation.
| Green Revolution | Micro Green Revolution |
| Focus on increasing crop yield through any means. | Focus on increasing crop yield without using chemical fertilizers. |
| Chemical fertilizers used | No chemical fertilizers are used; instead, biological nitrogen fixation is used. |
| Less sustainable in nature | More sustainable |
| Increased food production, but also potential negative environmental consequences like water pollution, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. | more environmentally friendly than traditional agriculture |
