(a) whether the Government has introduced any scheme to promote compost fertilizers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the procedure for the scheme and its certification system; and
(d) the details of the beneficiaries of the aforesaid scheme?
MINISTER OF CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZERS
( D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir, the Government of India approved a policy on promotion of city compost which has been notified by the Department of Fertilizers on 10.2.2016 wherein Market Development Assistance (MDA) of Rs. 1500/MT in the form of subsidy has been provided for scaling up production and consumption of city compost. Initially existing fertilizer marketing companies, having good marketing network, had been allowed for marketing of city compost. The operational guidelines have been issued to all concerned on 03.06.2016 and revised guidelines on 10.10.2016. Subsequently, in order to increase volume of sale and to make compost available at affordable prices to farmers, compost manufacturing companies producing compost have been allowed to sale city compost directly to farmers in bulk vide O.M. dated 28.9.2016. Guidelines for release of MDA on direct sale of city compost by compost manufacturers to farmers under the policy on promotion of city compost have been issued on 09.01.2017. The required software for routing MDA through iFMS is operational. Vide O.Ms. dated 7th September, 2017, Fertilizes Marketing Companies also allowed for Bulk Sale of city compost and manufacturing companies for Bagged Sale of city compost. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has been rolled out in Fertilizer Sector w.e.f. 1st March, 2018 and fertilizer companies marketing city compost are covered under the scheme.
(c): Under the policy, initially fertilizer marketing companies were allowed for co-marketing of city compost along with chemical fertilizers. As per guidelines dated 10.10.2016, all Urea manufacturers and P&K Fertilizer (including SSP) manufacturers and importers registered under NBS Scheme are eligible for marketing of city compost. The companies interested to market city compost is required to submit a letter intimating their willingness to market city compost alongwith details of registered manufacturers with whom purchasing agreement for supply of city compost has been made and other information as per at Annexure-I to Department of Fertilizers. DoF allot an iFMS ID for registering sale of city compost and claim MDA under the policy.
As per procedure laid down in guidelines dated 9.1.2017 for bulk sale of city compost, all compost manufacturers as marketers recognized by the concerned State Government are eligible to market city compost in bulk and claim MDA under the Policy. The recognition letter should be signed by authorized officer of the concerned State Government specifically mentioning that the manufacturer as a marketer has long tie up with concerned municipality for manufacturing of city compost on sustainable basis as per Proforma at Annexure-II. The compost manufacturer interested to market city compost in bulk is required to submit a letter through Municipality intimating their willingness to market city compost along with details of manufacturer and other details as per at Annexure-III. DoF allot iFMS ID and register the compost manufacturers for sale of city compost in bulk and claim MDA under the policy after ensuring that the compost manufacturers have been authorized for bulk sale of city compost by the Central Government by issuing a Notification in their favour as per provision contained in clause 22(c) of the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. Market Development Assistance of Rs. 1500/- M.T is provided to marketing companies and manufacturing companies for sale of city compost to lower the price so that farmers get city compost at cheaper rate.
(d): MDA is not being given directly to farmers. MDA is provided to fertilizer marketing companies marketing city compost and compost manufacturers selling compost in bulk directly to farmers under the policy on promotion of city compost. List of marketing companies marketing city compost is at Annexure-IV and compost manufacturers permitted for marketing for bulk sale is at Annexure-V.
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