Growing food is a risky venture that comes with a tight profit margin. The need to protect the crops goes hand in hand with the need to use chemicals for resistance against pests and pathogens. But on farms across India, a powerful organic solution is popular among farmers who want to keep chemicals away from their land: Beejamrutha. This natural seed tonic is an easy-to-make alternative for a broad spectrum of seed-borne pathogens. An ancient organic formulation, Beejamrutha is a four-ingredient, cost-effective method that has proven to enrich seeds before they are sown.
This exercise is not uncommon–modern agricultural practices call for seeds to be sprayed with or dipped in chemicals before being sown, to improve germination and maximise the seed’s potential. But chemical seed treatments are harsh on the soil; they disrupt the microbiome that thrives in the earth, as well as harm the health of the soil. Farmers are no strangers to these side-effects of chemical seed treatment, and it thus comes as no surprise that many choose to nurture their seeds with a natural seed tonic like Beejamrutha for its more healthful properties.
Durga Rao from Gollapalli treated seeds with Beejamrit on 5 acres, which helped control seed-borne diseases and enhanced germination rates. (Credit: APZBNF)What is Beejamrutha?
Beejamrutha, also called "Beejamrit," is a treatment solution prepared from the following natural ingredients: cow dung, cow urine, lime, soil, and water. Each ingredient has a role here: their individual properties help improve the biological activity of the seeds. Also, when used over a period of time, cow dung and urine paired with other food items have shown to gradually change the soil health, too.
Cow dung (also called manure) is a key ingredient of the solution: not only is it required in the largest proportion, it also forms the base of the solution. The quality of the cow dung is highly dependent on the fodder fed to the cows, because it’s made up mostly of digested grass. The higher the nutritional value of the grass the livestock feeds upon, the more effective the cow dung. Researchers have pointed out time and again that manure from indigenous Indian cow breeds contains higher amounts of calcium, phosphorus, zinc and copper than the cross-breed cow.
Beejamrutha seed treatment before sowing of crop at Haroli district, Himachal Pradesh (Credit: SPNF)Cow manure has proven to be near wondrous for agriculture. It has 3% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus, and 1% potassium—3-2-1 NPK, making it a suitable fertiliser for almost all types of plants and crops. This is due to the nutrients’ ability to naturally restore balance to the earth. Nitrogen (N) is the rockstar nutrient for leafy growth, making crops green. Phosphorus (P) is the root booster and helps the crop develop a strong foundation. Potassium (K) is the star of nutrition, ensuring your plant is nutritionally healthy.
The next ingredient, cow urine, has excellent germicidal power, and also hosts antibiotics and antimicrobial activity. It can, therefore, kill a variety of germs as well as boost immunity.
Lime powder is added to this, to adjust the pH level of the mixture and create a more alkaline environment–this is considered optimal for the beneficial microbes present in the cow dung and urine, allowing them to flourish and effectively colonise the seeds when used as a seed treatment.
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These ingredients, often available on farms, combine to create a potent mix of Beejamrutha–a formulation that not only boosts seed germination rates but also protects young roots from fungal infections and diseases, particularly during the rainy season. Other natural seed tonics offer similar relief to the soil and plants, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to the National Mission on Natural Farming, approximately 18.75 lakh farmers are using inputs such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrutha, and other natural tonics. In Andhra Pradesh, data from the NITI Aayog shows that 40–50% of farmers practicing natural farming use seed tonics. Through the Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative, over one million farmers have adopted these methods. In Maharashtra, too, an estimated 50–60% of natural farmers use seed tonics. The reliability and efficacy of Beejamrutha is further amplified by the fact that a large section of farmers use such seed tonics, even though they aren’t subsidised or standardised by the regulatory frameworks that oversee natural and organic farming in India–whereas fertilisers are.
Why use Beejamrutha?
Among other benefits, seeds treated with Beejamrutha gain immunity against soil-borne pathogens, ensuring a strong start for crops like rice, wheat, maize, and vegetables. It also works wonders for saplings of fruits such as mango, banana, and apple. Additionally, Beejamrutha improves soil quality by enhancing its microbial activity, helping plants absorb nutrients more effectively.
A study on pea seed germination showcased its remarkable efficiency: seeds treated with Beejamrutha had a 92% germination rate, while untreated seeds stood at 56%.
Also read: Can nitrogen-fixing plants replace synthetic fertilisers?
How to make Beejamrutha
Despite its benefits, Beejamrutha is surprisingly easy to prepare. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Start with cow dung: Take 5 kilograms of fresh cow dung and place it in a cloth bag.
- Soak the bag: Hang the bag in 20 liters of water for 12 hours.
- Prepare lime water: Dissolve 50 grams of lime in 1 liter of water and let it sit overnight.
- Mix it all together: The next morning, squeeze the cow dung bag into the water to extract its essence. Add 5 liters of cow urine, 1 kilogram of soil, and the lime water to the mixture. Stir well.
- Ferment: Let the mixture sit for 48 hours before using it, to allow the beneficial microbes to develop fully.
How to use Beejamrutha
To treat seeds, soak them in Beejamrutha and stir gently for about two minutes. Then, spread the seeds under shade to dry them for six hours, before they are planted. For the best results, treat seeds in the morning and sow them in the evening. If you have extra tonic on your hands, store it in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency and prevent spoilage.
Sowing of treated pea, radish, coriander, turnip, carrot, beetroot at Kachhiari village, Himachal Pradehs (Credit: SPNF)Saplings, too, can benefit from this process. Before transplanting them, dip the roots of the saplings in Beejamrutha to give them a protective boost.
Recognising the bio-stimulant benefits of this tonic, the Tamil Nadu Department of Seed Certification and Organic Certification is now urging farmers to adopt Beejamrutha. According to K. Kannan, a Seed Certification Officer in Madurai, this fermented solution’s ability to promote healthy crop growth makes it a vital tool for sustainable agriculture. “It’s cheaper, environmentally friendly, and easy to prepare,” he explains.
While some farmers may prefer the convenience of chemical seed treatments, Beejamrutha offers an affordable and more sustainable alternative. With just a bit of effort, it can be made at home, avoiding the cost and environmental impact of synthetic chemicals.
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Why it matters
Nagesh, a vegetable farmer based in Tiptur, Karnataka, who has been preparing Beejamrutha for the last four years explained its preparation in great detail, highlighting what is required for a one-acre farm.
“It doesn't take much time to make Beejamrutha,” he says. All you need, Nagesh explains, is a 100 litre barrel–it can be cement or plastic but a metallic one should be avoided. Preparing the solution for a one-acre piece of land calls for 50 litres of water, 50 kilograms of cow dung (ideally sourced from local breeds like Hallikar and amritmahal), 5 litres of urine and 50 grams of lime powder. Apart from adjusting the pH levels of the solution, lime also contains calcium which blocks the transfer of disease from seeds to plants.
All of the ingredients need to be mixed thoroughly. Then the seeds which one wants to sow should be dipped in the solution for not more than five minutes and dried in shade. Once ready, the solution lasts for 2-3 days; it needs to be prepared freshly.
As climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming practices, solutions like Beejamrutha are more relevant than ever. Not only do they reduce dependency on chemicals, but also look after the soil and ensure its long-term fertility. For farmers grappling with the challenges of erratic weather, Beejamrutha provides an additional layer of protection to maintain crop immunity when it’s needed most.