Question : Promotion of Biofertilizers

(a) whether the Government has held any discussion with State Governments and issued any directions for promoting the use of biofertilizers and improving the quality of crops and if so, the details thereof;

(b) if not, whether the Government is considering/has considered to take steps in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding crop production by using biofertilizers in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has set up any mechanism or has set up district-wise centers for the promotion of biofertilizers and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): Yes, a conference was held with states and other stakeholders on 20.12.2019 to discuss the issues related to biofertilisers like increase in production, maintaining quality standards and promoting their use by farmers. Based on the recommendations, steps for technical trainings to the staff on testing protocols and quality parameters; streamlining of testing protocols; revamping the quality testing labs; ensuring supply of quality biofertiliser mother strains from ICAR institutions for production of biofertilisers etc. have been initiated. States were also asked to ensure quality of biofertilisers promoted under organic farming schemes.

Contd….2/-

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Regular trainings, front line demonstrations are conducted by National Centre for Organic Farming (NCOF) and Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to educate farmers on biofertilizers. Government has been providing financial assistance of Rs. 31,000/ha/3 years and Rs 7500/ha/3 years for organic conversion, organic inputs, including biofertilisers under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Mission Organic Value Chain development North East Region(MOVCDNER) respectively.

(c): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under “Network project on Soil Biodiversity- Biofertilizers project” has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types. Biofertilizers can improve yields by 10-25% in most of the cases when used along with chemical fertilizers. Liquid biofertilizers technology with higher shelf-life has also been developed.

(d) & (e): Government under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) of Soil Health Management Scheme (SHM) of National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is providing assistance for Setting up of State of art liquid/ carrier based Bio-fertilizer/ Bio-pesticide units of 200 Ton Per Annum (TPA) capacity. 100% assistance is provided to State Govt. / Govt. Agencies upto a maximum limit of Rs.160.00 lakh/ unit. Similarly, for individuals/ private agencies assistance upto 25% of cost limited to Rs.40 lakh/unit as capital investment is provided through NABARD.

As per data provided by NABARD, 61 Biofertilizer/ Fruit and vegetable compost production units were established under Capital Investment Subsidy scheme in different states. Similarly funding for 10 biofertiliser production units and 16 organic/biofertiliser testing labs was done through Soil Health Management Scheme since 2015.

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