Lok Sabha Question No. 355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-04
Subject: Promotion of Biofertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 355 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## PROMOTION OF BIOFERTILIZERS

355.   SHRI  UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  held  any  discussion  with  State  Governments  and issued  any  directions  for  promoting  the  use  of  biofertilizers  and  improving  the  quality  of crops and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if  not,  whether  the  Government  is  considering/has  considered  to  take  steps  in  this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  regarding  crop  production  by using biofertilizers in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  set  up  any  mechanism  or  has  set  up  district-wise centers for the promotion of biofertilizers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b): Yes,      a  conference  was  held  with  states  and  other  stakeholders  on 20.12.2019      to discuss the issues related to   biofertilisers like increase in production, maintaining quality standards and promoting their use by farmers. Based  on the recommendations, steps for technical trainings to the staff on testing protocols and quality parameters; streamlining of testing protocols;  revamping the quality testing labs;   ensuring supply  of  quality  biofertiliser    mother  strains  from  ICAR  institutions  for      production  of biofertilisers  etc.    have  been  initiated.  States  were  also  asked  to  ensure  quality  of biofertilisers promoted under organic farming schemes.

Regular  trainings,  front  line  demonstrations  are  conducted  by  National  Centre  for Organic Farming (NCOF) and Indian Council of Agriculture Research ( ICAR)   to educate farmers on biofertilizers.           Government has been providing financial assistance of   Rs. 31,000/ha/3  years  and  Rs  7500/ha/3  years            for  organic  conversion,  organic  inputs, including biofertilisers under  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Mission Organic Value Chain development  North East Region(MOVCDNER) respectively.

(c): Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  under  'Network  project  on  Soil Biodiversity-  Biofertilizers      project'  has  developed  improved  and  efficient  strains  of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types. Biofertilizers can improve yields by 1025%  in  most  of  the  cases  when  used  along  with  chemical  fertilizers.  Liquid  biofertilizers technology with higher shelf-life has also been developed.

(d) & (e) : Government under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) of Soil Health Management  Scheme  (SHM)  of  National  Mission  of  Sustainable  Agriculture (NMSA) is providing assistance for Setting up of State of art liquid/ carrier based Bio-fertilizer/ Biopesticide units of 200 Ton Per Annum (TPA) capacity. 100% assistance is provided to State Govt.  /  Govt.  Agencies  upto  a  maximum  limit  of  Rs.160.00  lakh/  unit.  Similarly,  for individuals/  private  agencies  assistance  upto  25%  of  cost  limited  to  Rs.40  lakh/unit      as capital investment is provided through NABARD.

As  per  data  provided  by  NABARD,  61  Biofertilizer/  Fruit  and  vegetable  compost production units   were established under Capital Investment Subsidy scheme in different states.  Similarly  funding  for  10  biofertiliser  production  units and  16  organic/biofertiliser testing labs was done through Soil Health Management Scheme since 2015.

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