MicroHay is a climate-action and sustainable agriculture initiative focused on creating an innovative, community-centered solution for the stubble-burning crisis of Punjab. The initiative remains focused on the collection, processing, and upcycling of paddy stubble into high-quality organic fertilizer to provide farmers an affordable and environmentally responsive alternative to crop residue burning. By combining environmental research, soil-health assessments, MicroHay demonstrated the feasibility of stubble-based fertilizers as a mainstream input for regenerative agriculture. The fertilizer production system developed by MicroHay includes a three-stage process for rural scalability. Stage one includes the collection and preprocessing of the stubble right after harvest, where the remainder of the crop after it has been cut, i.e., the stubble is shredded into smaller fibers and dried to optimize decomposition processes by reducing the moisture levels. In stage two, the shredded biomass is subjected to bio-enrichment and controlled decomposition by blending with microbial cultures - a catalyst known as T-Bact, along with green biodegradable materials and brown bio-degradable materials, which upon decomposition release hydrogen and nitrogen. The main microbes that facilitate rapid composting are introduced to quickly break down the tough fibers of paddy straw, besides, aeration of the mixture is periodically conducted, and moisture is added in intervals, to maintain ideal composting temperatures. Lastly, the mixture is collected and packaged with the aim of improving the pH balance, nutrient profile of the soil, advancing healthy microbial activity, and carbon content to ensure homogeneity and agronomic value.
The resulting fertilizer presents many environmental, economic, and agricultural advantages. Composting stubble rather than burning it prevents large-scale emissions, with each ton of residue diverted saving roughly 1.5 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions and avoiding the hazardous PM2.5 pollution spikes that blanket North India every winter. Organic fertilizer manufactured through MicroHay notably enhances soil health by way of organic carbon increments, thereby enhancing nutrient cycling, microbial diversity, soil structure, moisture retention, and root aeration. This allows farmers to lessen their use of chemical fertilizers and reduces cultivation costs in the long run. The model also provides an additional income stream for farmers by turning crop residue (stubble) into a monetizable resource rather than a waste burden. Over time, higher soil organic matter reduces irrigation requirements, therefore contributing to groundwater conservation in a region facing severe aquifer depletion. By converting an environmental liability into a regenerative agricultural input, MicroHay offers an integrated solution for the inextricably linked problems of air quality, waste management, soil health, and rural livelihoods. The proposed project closely aligns with India’s commitment to climate action and global sustainability frameworks, while directly contributing to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). MicroHay eventually scales into a decentralized network of rural composting hubs across Northern India, creating a replicable community-driven model that supports farmers by strengthening local ecosystems and advances the cause of national climate and sustainability goals.