Question : Organic Fertilizers

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

(b) whether organic fertilizers have proved to be effective scientifically in agriculture and if so, the details thereof along with the details of the benefits of organic fertilizers in comparison to inorganic fertilizers;

(c) whether the Government is aware that various organic fertilizers are sold in the market at higher rates and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to check/control its prices; and

(d) the various measures taken by the Government to produce organic fertilizers in the country?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 354 DUE FOR REPLY ON 20TH MARCH, 2018.

(a): Various types of organic fertilizers used in agriculture are City Compost, Vermicompost, Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM), Organic manures, Bone meal, Steamed bone meal, De-oiled cake/ Caster- oiled Cake.

(b): Organic fertilizers are the source of organic carbon besides nutrients. The organic carbon content is vital for maintaining and enhancing soil fertility. In order to enhance the efficacy of chemical fertilizers and for improving crop response to the applied fertilizers, use of organic fertilizers is required. Government is recommending soil test based integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients. Organic fertilizers have been tested scientifically in ICAR institutions and SAUs on various crops and soil types and found suitable for improving soil health and productivity. These organic fertilizers presently available may supplement costly chemical fertilizers (N,P) by nearly 20-25%. Biofertlizers when applied along with compost @ 5t/ha, or vermicompost @2t/ha, fertilizers saving is almost 50%.

The advantages of these organic fertilizers over chemical/ inorganic fertilizers are (i) they are eco friendly and (ii) not only provide nutrients for maintaining soil fertility but also improve soil physical & biological health.

(c): No such reports have been brought to notice to the Government .The Government of India is not regulating the price of organic fertilizers. Its prices are determined by market forces.
(d): Government is promoting organic fertilizers/ biofertilizers through various schemes of National Mission of Sustainable Development (NMSA)/ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and supported by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The pattern of assistance is given in Annexure-I.