To Fight Air Pollution Agrinnovate India Transfers Pusa Decomposer Tech Licensed to Star Fertilizer & Pesticide

New Delhi, 08-12-2025 – In a significant move to scale up sustainable agricultural practices, Agrinnovate India Limited, the commercialization arm of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has successfully facilitated the transfer of the acclaimed "Pusa Decomposer" technology. The technology, developed by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), has been licensed to Star Fertilizer & Pesticide, aiming to bring this eco-friendly solution to farmers nationwide.

The Pusa Decomposer is a microbial consortium that rapidly decomposes paddy straw and other crop residues in the field. Its adoption is seen as a critical alternative to the environmentally harmful practice of stubble burning, which contributes to severe air pollution in northern India, particularly after the Kharif harvest season.

The technology transfer is aligned with the Government of India’s push to find scalable and farmer-centric solutions to stubble management. By converting crop waste into valuable organic manure within 20-25 days, the Pusa Decomposer not only mitigates air pollution but also enhances soil health and reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers.

The formal Technology Transfer Agreement was signed by officials from Agrinnovate India, ICAR-IARI, and Star Fertilizer & Pesticide in a ceremony held in the capital. The agreement grants Star Fertilizer & Pesticide a non-exclusive license to manufacture, market, and distribute the decomposer in a ready-to-use capsule or liquid formulation.