Question : Minimising Use of Chemical Fertilizers

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether there has been an increase in the use of natural fertilizers in the country during the last few years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to take any action to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the likely outcome in respect of betterment of making health condition of the people working in farming sector; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefore?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS & HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (e): Government is promoting Organic Farming to substitute the use of chemical pesticide and fertilizer for reduced health hazard, safety and healthy and sustainable production through dedicated schemes viz. Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Both the schemes provide end to end support to organic farmers from organic production to certification and marketing including post harvest management support like processing, packaging, storage etc.

PKVY is implemented in all the States across the country to promote organic farming in cluster mode, in which, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50000/ha for 3 years in which, RS 31000/ ha / 3 years is provided directly to farmers through DBT for organic inputs such as seeds, bio fertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc.

MOVCDNER is implemented in all the North Eastern States for promotion of certified organic production, in which, organic farmers are supported to develop their value chain from organic production to processing and marketing etc. through FPO formation. Under the scheme a sum of Rs. 46,575/ha for 3years are provided for creation of FPO, support to farmers for organic inputs, quality seeds/ planting material and training, hand holding and certification. Besides, financial assistance are also provided as subsidy to FPOs and Private entrepreneurs.

Under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS), credit linked back ended subsidy is provided through National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) @33% of Total Financial Outlay subject to the maximum of Rs 63 lakh/ unit against Total Financial Outlay (TFO) of Rs.190.00 lakh for maximum capacity of 100 TPD of Fruit & Vegetable Agro Composting Unit, while State and Central Government agencies are provided 100% assistance with maximum limit of Rs 190.00 lakh. Moreover, for establishment of Bio-fertilizer/ Bio-pesticide production units of 200 Ton Per Annum (TPA) capacity, 100% assistance is provided to State Govt./ Govt. Agencies up to a maximum limit of Rs.160.00 lakh/ unit. Similarly, for individuals/ private agencies assistance up to 25% of cost limited to Rs.40 lakh/unit as capital investment is provided through NABARD.

Government is also promoting the use of natural/bio-organic fertilizers through various schemes to minimize the use of chemical fertilizer which is given at Annexure-I. The quantity of production / consumption of organic –fertilizers during last three years is given at Annexure II.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and Micro- and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements (MSNP) have studied the response of various major and micro nutrients applied through chemical fertilizers in different crops. Similarly, the Council has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers. Based on these studies ICAR is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to improve soil health and fertility.


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Annexure -I.


Steps taken by government for promotion of bio/organic fertilizers through various schemes.

• Soil Health Management (SHM): Government is providing Rs 160 lakh /unit for establishment of bio-fertilizer production unit (200MT capacity) to State Government which is shared on 60:40 ratios between GoI and State Government. 15 bio-fertilizer production units have been established under SHM

• National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance@ 50% subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300/- per ha is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/ Zinc Solubilising Bacteria(ZSB)/ Azatobacter/ Mycorrhiza and vermi compost

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium/ PSB) @50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha.

• Based on ICAR recommendation Government is promoting soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to improve soil health and fertility.


Annexure - ll

STATE-WISE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC - FERTILISERS DURING 2018-19 TO 2020-21

Unit : MT
S.No. State 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
1 Andhra Pradesh 79247.45 7891732.00 332.75
2 Arunachal Pradesh 0.00 2050.00 0.00
3 Assam 0.00 442072.52 174943.82
4 Bihar 137055.00 118850.92 104772.05
5 Chhattisgarh 6196.20 2810903.05 2452061.46
6 Delhi 4007.12 17084.00 23044.00
7 Goa 57.85 9600.00 460.00
8 Gujarat 123278.940 375660.97 45161.00
9 Haryana 3949.74 46750.78 4799.54
10 Himachal Pradesh 5175.00 1729525.50 22.00
11 Jammu & Kashmir 0.00 723.86 0.00
12 Jharkhand 0.00 3160.00 6605.00
13 Karnataka 38760189.00 38765111.00 315834.00
14 Kerala 77750 1255000.00 45476.29
15 Madhya Pradesh 40158.08 1189279.19 103456.00
16 Maharashtra 23386.11 91365.92 131444.82
17 Manipur 50.00 1.50 150.00
18 Meghalaya 0.00 1000.00 0.00
19 Mizoram 0.00 18.80 6.00
20 Nagaland 0.00 80650.00 81321.50
21 Odisha 71318.01 64253.85 49350.00
22 Punjab 44745.01 2148892.31 49649.55
23 Rajasthan 45650.00 252256.00 44767.00
24 Sikkim 0.00 160800.00 0.00
25 Tamil Nadu 1110332.00 917602.00 118116.10
26 Telangana 465590.01 2013373.03 27134.00
27 Tripura 0.00 649.06 990.22
28 Uttar Pradesh 17128.65 18570.24 33238.24
29 Uttarakhand 31996.99 30795.82 5959.27
30 West Bengal 51779.20 68641.53 59294.32
31 Chandigarh 0.00 0.00 0.00
32 Puducherry 1220.00 1425.00 1100.00
Total 41100260.35 60507798.84 3879488.93
Source: State Government/ UTs
• MT: Metric Tonne
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