(a) whether the farmers in the country are using more organic fertilisers to get better yield;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to increase the production of organic fertilisers; and
(d) if so, the steps taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): With the increase in awareness about soil health and importance of balance and
judicious use of fertilizers, farmers are using organic fertilizers including vermicompost,compost and biofertilizers to maintain soil health and its productivity. That
the production of organic fertilizers which was 2136 lakh tones in 2008-09 has increased to
3486 lakh tones in 2009-10 is an indicating of growing use.
The Government is encouraging production of organic fertilizers by providing financial
assistance under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission
(NHM) and under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF).
Financial assistance is also available for organic fertilizers under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).