Question : Sale of Spurious Organic Fertilizers

(a) whether it is a fact that sale and production data of organic fertilizers do not match in the country and farmers are cheated in the name of organic fertilizers;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to amend the Fertilizer Order 1985 and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the steps taken/being taken to deal with the sale of spurious organic fertilizers; and

(e) the number of complaints received by the Government and the persons booked in this regard during the last three years and the current year?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): Data in respect of sale of organic fertilisers is not maintained in the Ministry, the data only regarding production of organic fertilisers is maintained. State Governments check the quality of organic fertilisers by drawing samples and testing them in notified laboratories. During the last three years and the current year, two cases in Rajasthan, three cases in Karnataka and five cases in Tamil Nadu have been reported where persons were found selling organic fertilisers, which are not notified in the Fertiliser (Control) Order and/or not complying with the provisions of the said Order.

(c): Amendment in the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 is a regular process and is done as and when required.

(d): Fertiliser (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 has been promulgated for regulation of quality of organic fertilisers. Organic fertilisers, namely, City Compost, Vermicompost, Phosphate Rich Organic Manure, Organic Manure and Bio-enriched Organic Manure have been notified so far under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985. No person shall manufacture/import for sale, sell, offer for sale, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any organic fertiliser which is not notified in the said Order or not of standard prescribed in the said Order. State Governments are the

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agencies empowered to take necessary administrative and punitive/legal action against those not complying with the provisions of the FCO.

(e): Year-wise details regarding number of complaints and persons booked in the States of Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are given below:-

State Number of complaints in the year
2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
Rajasthan - - 2 -
Karnataka - 1 2 -
Tamil Nadu - - 2 3

Prosecution has been launched against the defaulters in the Court of Law.


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