Question : PROMOTION OF ORGANIC MANURE

(a) the details of the organic fertilizers which are used in agriculture in the country;

(b) whether the Government plans to involve the private sector in development of the use of organic manure;

(c) if so, whether the Government has launched certain schemes in the country to promote the production and use of biofertilizers/organic fertilizers in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated under various schemes for the purpose during the Eleventh and Twelfth Five Year Plan Period, State/ UT-wise including Rajasthan;

(e) the number of farmers benefited under the various schemes, State-wise;

(f) the details of production of major crops achieved during the last one year using bio-fertilizers/organic fertilizers vis-à-vis chemical fertilizers in the country State/UT-wise;

(g) whether it is a fact that many organic fertilizers are sold at exorbitant prices in the market, if so, the steps taken by the Government to control the prices of organic fertilizers; and

(h) the other various steps taken by the Government to popularise the use of biofertilizers /organic fertilizers amongst the farmers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a): Several organic fertilizers like, vermi-compost, compost, city compost, phosphoric organic manure (PROM) including non-edible castor de-oiled cake and bio-fertilizers like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azopsirillum, Phosphate solubilzing bacteria, VA mycorrhizae, Acetobacter are being used in agriculture as organic fertilizers in the country.

(b) to (d): Under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Government is promoting production and use of organic fertilizers/ bio-fertilizers in the country by providing 33% of total project cost maximum limited upto Rs.63 lakh per unit for individuals/ private agencies for establishment of agro / vegetable waste compost production units of 3000 TPA production capacity and 25% of total project cost limited upto Rs.40 lakh per unit for individuals/ private agencies through NABARD for bio-fertilizers production unit of 200 TPA production capacity is provided as back-ended subsidy through National Bank for Agricultural & Rural Development (NABARD). Financial assistance upto 50% of cost subject to a limit of Rs.5,000/- per hectare and Rs.10,000/- per beneficiary is provided for promotion of organic inputs. The State-wise Number of Units established and funds released from October, 2004 to till March, 2014 is given at Annexure-I.

Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Government is also providing financial assistance for establishing vermi-compost units and HDPE Vermi- beds @50% of cost conforming to the size of the unit of 30’X8’X2.5’ dimension of permanent structure to be administered on pro-rata basis. For HDPE Vermibed, 50% of cost conforming to the size of 96 cft (12’X4’X2’) and IS 15907:2010 to be administered on pro-rata basis (Rs. 100,000/ unit for permanent structure and Rs. 16,000/unit for HDPE Vermibed). Under INM component of MIDH, subsidy can be availed for use of liquid bio-fertilizers of N, P and K such as Rhizobium/ Azospirilum/ Azotobactor, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) and Potash Mobilizing Bacteria (KMB) to be applied in combination, in demonstration and other programme, for which total assistance is limited to 50% of cost, or Rs.300.00 per ha., for a maximum area of four ha. per beneficiary.

(e) & (f): The number of farmers benefited under the various extension activities are as under:

 Year	No. of farmers 2013-14	3785036	(2773264 Male +1011772 Female) 2014-15	1109910	(855810 Male + 254100 Female)