MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a): Government is already promoting use of bio-fertilisers through a Central Sector
Scheme National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) for setting up of new or
strengthening of existing bio-fertiliser production units, technology transfer and
training etc. To ensure quality of bio-fertilisers - Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium,
Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria, Potash Mobilising Bacteria, Zinc Solubilising
Bacteria and Mycrorhizal bio-fertilisers have been incorporated in Fertilizer Control
Order, 1985.
(b): The total production of bio-fertilisers was 20,111 Metric Tone (MT), 25,065 MT,
20,040 MT and 37,998 MT during 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively.
The trend in use of bio-fertilizers is increasing but the total area covered under bio-
fertilizers about 3% of total cultivable area in the country.
(c) & (d): Awareness creation activities on use of bio-fertiliser is being addressed
through training programme seminar and through advisory in package and practices
for different crops under organic management. ICAR also imparts training, organizes
field level demonstrations etc. to educate farmers on use of bio-fertilisers. During 2006-
12, a total 320 demonstrations were conducting on various crops in different States.
(e): Application of bio-fertilisers to seed or soil is ongoing process to keep the soil
healthy and to get healthy crop yield.
