Lok Sabha Question No. 3233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Effects of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers on Agricultural Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3233

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2023

## EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL AND ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

3233. MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  study  regarding  effects  of  chemical and organic fertilizers on agricultural production and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to set up sale and distribution centres for organic fertilizers on the lines of sale and distribution centres set up for chemical fertilizers and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  chalked  out  any  scheme  to  promote  use of  organic fertilizers, vermicompost and D-compost and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Yes.  ICAR  has  undertaken  studies  regarding  effects  of  chemicals  and  organic fertilizers on agricultural production.  All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Long term Fertilizer Experiments (LTFEs) was established in 17 different centres of the country  to  assess  the  impact  of  long  term  fertiliser  use  and  manuring  (imbalance, balance  and  integrated  nutrient  management)  on  soil  quality,  crop  productivity  and sustainability.  Similarly, the All India Network Programme on Organic Farming (AINPOF)  with  20  cooperating  centres  covering  16  States  was  established  to  develop package of practices for organic production of crops in cropping and farming systems perspective.

(b): The Government of India vide notification dated 24 th  August, 2022 has decided to convert the existing village, block/sub district/ taluk and district level fertilizer retail shops into  Model  Fertilizer  Retail  Shops,  namely  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samridhi  Kendra (PMKSK).  These PMKSKs act as a one-stop -shop for farmers for multiple products such  as  seeds,  fertilizers,  pesticides  etc  and  also  avail  multiple  services  related  to agriculture sector like fertilizer/seed/soil testing, drones & other farm equipments under one single roof. It includes selling of water soluble, alternative bio and organic fertilizers also. (c): Government is implementing dedicated schemes for promotion of organic farming in the country viz. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region  (MOVCDNER)  since  2015-16.  Under these schemes, farmers are primarily encouraged to take up organic cultivation using organic inputs including organic fertilizers and the schemes provide end to end support to  farmers  i.e.  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.  Farmers  are  provided  financial  assistance  of  Rs  31,000/ha/3  years under PKVY and Rs 32,500/ha/3 years under MOVCDNER for various organic inputs.

ICAR imparts training, organises Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers  on  soil  test  based  balanced  and  integrated  nutrient  management  through conjunctive  use  of  both  inorganic  and  organic  sources  (FYM,  compost,  biofertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients.

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