22-Mar-2022: Use of organic fertilizers in agriculture
All India Coordinated Research Project on ‘Long Term Fertilizer Experiments’ of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) over five decades at fixed sites have indicated that continuous use of nitrogenous fertilizer alone had deleterious effect on soil health and crop productivity showing deficiencies of other major and micro nutrients. Even with recommended doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK), deficiency of micro and secondary nutrients has become yield limiting factor over the years. Deficient nutrients may also affect plant growth and cause plant physiological disorders. ICAR has been recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, biofertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients for judicious use of chemical fertilizers to improve soil health. In addition, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also advocated.
On the lines of the sale of chemical fertilizers, retailers/traders, must obtain authorization from notified authority of State Government for sale of organic fertilizers, as per provision of clause 8 of Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985.
Government is implementing dedicated organic farming schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Under these schemes, farmers are primarily encouraged to adopt organic cultivation using various organic inputs including organic fertilizers and provided end to end from production to marketing of organic produce. Hands-on-training to farmers about on-farm production of organic fertilizers and its use are integral part of these schemes.
7-Dec-2021: Production of Organic Fertilizers
Government has been implementing dedicated organic farming schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Under these schemes, farmers are primarily encouraged for organic cultivation using organic fertilizers and provided hands-on training about on-farm production of organic fertilizers and its use are integral part of these schemes. Farmers are provided subsidy of Rs. 31000/ ha / 3 years under PKVY and Rs. 32500/ ha/ 3 years under MOVCDNER for various organic inputs including organic fertilisers. In additions, Organic cultivation on either side of River Ganga, large area certification and support for individual farmers has also been introduced under PKVY to increase coverage using organic fertilizers.
Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) has been introduced as a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2020-21 for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). The scheme mainly emphasises on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and plant based preparations. Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs. 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis. Until now, under natural farming an area of 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered and a total fund of Rs. 4980.99 lakh has been released in 8 States across the country
Under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS), Credit linked back ended subsidy is provided through NABARD to individuals/ private agencies/companies/ Farmers Producers Organization Farmers (FPOs) for setting up of Fruit & Vegetable Agro Composting Unit (of 100 Ton Per Day (TPD) capacity) @33% of total financial outlay subject to maximum of Rs 63 lakh/ unit and Bio-fertilizer production units (200 Ton Per Annum (TPA) capacity) @ 25% of cost limited to Rs.40 lakh/unit.
An amount of Rs 650 crores has been approved for promotion of organic farming for the year 2021-22, out of which Rs. 450 crore has been approved for PKVY and Rs. 200 crore has been approved for MOVCDNER.