A new chapter for straw fertilization utilization in 2026: technological breakthroughs, model innovations, and policy support

In 2026, with the increasing emphasis on ecological environmental protection and sustainable agricultural development, the utilization of straw for fertilizer ushered in unprecedented development opportunities. Driven by technological innovation, deepening exploration of models, and the continuous release of policy dividends, straw, as a valuable biomass energy source, is continuously accelerating its transformation into an "ecological gold ingot" and a "new agricultural resource" through the utilization of straw for fertilizer, injecting strong momentum into the green and Low-Carbon development of China's agriculture.

01 Straw fertilizer brings new vitality
In 2026, breakthrough advancements will be made in the technology of straw fertilizer utilization, specifically in terms of efficient degradation, nutrient regulation, and functional enhancement. In the field of microbial technology, a new generation of highly active compound bacterial agents will emerge. These agents are scientifically formulated from a variety of efficient degradation strains, tailored to the characteristics of straw from different regions and crops. They can significantly enhance the degradation efficiency of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, shorten the traditional composting cycle by over 30%, and significantly increase the humus content and beneficial bacterial population of Organic Fertilizers.
Intelligent fertilizer production equipment may also see innovative applications. The intelligent composting system, integrating Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence technologies, can monitor key parameters such as compost temperature, humidity, oxygen content, and pH value in real-time. Through an automatic control system, it precisely adjusts the turning frequency, ventilation, and water supplementation, enabling intelligent management and standardized production of straw composting. This ensures the stability and uniformity of fertilizer product quality.
In addition, the preparation technology of straw biochar-based fertilizer has become increasingly mature and widely applied. Through advanced pyrolysis and carbonization processes, straw is converted into biochar rich in carbon. By scientifically formulating nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and medium and trace elements, the produced biochar-based fertilizer not only exhibits excellent water and nutrient retention capabilities and soil improvement effects, but also effectively sequesters carbon and reduces emissions, providing strong support for achieving the "dual carbon" goals in agriculture.
02 Diversified development draws a new blueprint
In terms of mode exploration, the utilization of straw for fertilizer in 2026 exhibited new characteristics of diversification, industrialization, and integration.
The closed-loop model of "farmer + cooperative + enterprise" has been widely promoted, where farmers are responsible for the initial collection and transportation of straw, professional cooperatives or social service organizations provide centralized pre-treatment and large-scale composting services, and fertilizer production enterprises engage in deep processing, brand packaging, and market sales. This has formed an industrial chain with closely linked links and shared interests, effectively reducing single-point operating costs and improving overall efficiency.
The "on-site digestion in the field + customized fertilization" model has been well received. In some regions, mobile straw processing equipment is utilized to crush and decompose straw on-site, directly producing organic fertilizer or organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. Based on local soil conditions and crop needs, the fertilizer formula is adjusted on-site, achieving "zero-transportation" on-site conversion and precise return to the field of straw. This not only reduces losses and pollution during transportation but also enhances the specificity and utilization rate of fertilizer.
The utilization of straw as fertilizer is deeply integrated with ecological and circular agriculture. Many ecological farms and planting bases have made straw fertilizer their core product, establishing an internal agricultural circulation system of "straw-fertilizer-crop-straw". The organic agricultural products produced through this system enhance their added value through a traceability system, forming a virtuous cycle of "high quality at high prices", further stimulating the enthusiasm of all parties involved in the utilization of straw resources. The collaborative treatment model of "straw + livestock manure" will also more effectively address the challenge of handling livestock waste, achieving synergistic enhancement and resource utilization of various agricultural Organic Wastes.
03 Policy support and incentive guidance
To ensure the smooth advancement of straw utilization for fertilizer, a series of new policies with stronger pertinence and incentives will be introduced at both national and local levels in 2026. In terms of financial support, the central and local governments will further increase subsidies for straw utilization projects. Not only will subsidies be provided for straw collection, storage, and transportation, but special rewards or loan discounts will also be offered to entities that purchase advanced fertilizer production equipment, build standardized production bases, and promote the application of straw organic fertilizer, effectively alleviating the financial pressure on enterprises and business entities.
The preferential tax policies continue to be implemented, providing additional deductions for eligible technology research and development expenses of straw fertilizer production enterprises. The policy of exempting organic fertilizer products produced and sold by these enterprises from value-added tax continues to be enforced, reducing the tax burden on enterprises and encouraging more social capital to invest in the straw fertilizer utilization industry.
The regulatory and standard system has also been increasingly improved. The state will formulate and release updated product quality standards and production technical regulations for straw organic fertilizer, strengthen the quality inspection and supervision of straw fertilizer products on the market, severely crack down on counterfeiting and shoddy behavior, maintain market order, and safeguard the rights and interests of farmers and legitimate enterprises. Local governments will also actively build information service platforms to provide information matching, technical guidance, and policy consulting services for both straw supply and demand sides, creating a favorable development environment.

Anticipate together · Work together
In 2026, the utilization of straw for fertilizer stands at a new developmental starting point. The empowerment of new technologies, the drive of new models, and the guarantee of new policies will jointly propel this industry towards a higher quality and more sustainable development stage. Let us look forward to the joint efforts of all parties, and hope that the utilization of straw for fertilizer can contribute greater strength to the development of modern agriculture and the construction of beautiful villages in China!