Lok Sabha Question No. 6187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Promotion of Organic Manure
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAHUL KASWAN, B. S. YEDDYURAPPA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6187

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11 TH  APRIL, 2017

## PROMOTION OF ORGANIC MANURE

6187.  SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: SHRI B.S. YEDIYURAPPA:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  excessive  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  is  causing  disease  of  cancer  at large scale and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to develop/produce organic/chemical free  fertilizers  throughout  the  country  by  involving  the  private  sector  in  view  of  the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and if so, the quantum of funds allocated by the Government  to  encourage  organic  manure  and  organic  farming  and  to  improve  the quality of soil in the country;
- (c) whether the Government has achieved the desired targets in this regard and if not,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  achieve  the  targets  set  along  with  the success achieved, so far;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  make  conventional  fertilizers easily  available  in  the  market  at  lesser  cost  in  place  of  chemical  fertilizers,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (e) the various steps taken by the Government to promote the production of organic bio-fertilizers in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): There  is  no  scientific  evidence  that  balanced  and  judicious  use  of  chemical fertilizers cause disease of cancer.

There is possibility of nitrate contamination in ground water above the permissible limit of  10 mg NO3-N/L if there is excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers particularly in light textured soils that can have consequence on human/animal health if used for drinking purpose. Contd…2/-

-2-

(b) to (e): The Government has taken the following steps to promote production of organic and bio-fertilizers:-

- (i) Financial assistance to individuals/private agencies through NABARD as Capital Investment @ 25% of project cost limited to Rs 40 lakh per unit is provided 39 units of bio-fertilizer/bio-pesticide  have  been  set  up  and  Rs.708.374  lakh  subsidy  given  under CISS scheme.
- (ii) The Government is encouraging the establishment of fruit/vegetable market/agro waste compost production unit for which financial assistance is provided @ 33% of total financial  outlay  limited  to  Rs.63  lakh,  whichever  is  less  under  Capital  Investment Subsidy  Scheme  (CISS)  provided  through  NABARD  for  farmers/individual/private agencies including the youth. 7 units of fruit/vegetable waste compost production units have been set up and Rs.178.527 lakh subsidy given under CISS scheme.
- (iii) Under Soil Health Management  (SHM),  financial assistance is given for promotion  of  organic  inputs  (manure,  vermi-compost,  bio-fertilizers,  compost,  herbal extracts etc.) @ 50% of cost subject to a limit of Rs.5000 per hectare and Rs.10000 per beneficiary.
- (iv) Under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) financial assistance is given for liquid bio-fertilizer consortia (nitrogen fixing/Phosphate solublizing/Potassium mobilizing bio-fertilizer) @ Rs.500 per acre amounting to Rs.25000 per cluster of 50 acres.
- (v) The National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) undertakes various extension activities  like  exhibitions,  radio  talks,  TV  programmes,  distribution  of  literature  on organic inputs to educate the farmers.
- (vi) Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  developed  improved  and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under Network Project  on  Soil  Bio-diversity-Bio-fertilizers.  Liquid  bio-fertilizers  technology  with  higher shelf-life has also been developed. Besides, ICAR imparts training, organizes, frontline demonstrations etc to educate farmers on use of bio-fertilizers.

****