Lok Sabha Question No. 1522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Promoting Bio-Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal, Dharambir Singh, Ramesh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1522

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## PROMOTING BIO-FERTILIZERS

1522. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL: SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH: SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the measures undertaken by the Government to promote bio-fertilizers in the light of the detremental effects of chemical fertilizers on human health; (b) the details of the funding that has been allocated for the distribution of bio-fertilizers across the country over the past five years, State-wise; (c) the manner in which the Government has supported R&D in bio-fertilizer technology; (d) the details of the specific programmes or schemes which are in place to encourage the adoption of bio-fertilizers among farmers; (e) the measurers taken and implemented by the Government to encourage millet production and consumption across the country in light of the international year of millets; and

(f) the details of millet production in 2022-23 in comparison to the previous years?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

(SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a)  to  (d):  Government  of  India  encourages  the  use  of  bio-fertilizers  which  are  eco-friendly source of nutrient and considered as an important component of organic farming and Integrated Nutrient Management.

In  order  to  ensure  the  availability  of  good  quality  bio-fertilizers,  Government  of  India regulates its quality under the Fertilizer Control Order (1985) and their quality standards have been specified therein. It is mandatory for every manufacturer to strictly adhere the prescribed standards.

The  Government  of  India  is  not  granting  any  financial  assistance  for  distribution  of Biofertiliser.  However, Government is promoting the use of biofertiliser under Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Under the PKVY scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 31000/ ha for 3 years through DBT for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs including biofertilizer.  Under  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region (MOVCDNER), financial assistance @ Rs 32500/ ha for 3 years is provided to farmers for off farm /on -farm organic inputs including bio-fertilizer.

Government has approved the 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM)', which aims to complement the efforts initiated by States/UTs to save the health of Mother Earth by promoting sustainable and balanced  use  of  fertilizers,  adopting  alternate  fertilizers,  promoting  organic  farming  and implementing  resource  conservation  technologies.  Under  the  scheme,  50%  of  the  fertilizer subsidy saved by a State/UT in a particular financial year by way of reduction in consumption of  chemical  fertilizers  (Urea,  DAP,  NPK,  MOP)  compared  to  previous  3  years'  average consumption, will be passed on to that State/UT as Grant.

Under Mission Life programme, Government is taking up various environment initiatives to encourage natural and organic farming using organic and bio-fertilizer to reduce carbon foot print, reduced emission of Green House Gas (GHG) through reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in  agricultural  production.   When  these  biofertilizers  are  applied  along  with  compost  @ 5tonne/ha  or  vermi-compost  @  4tonne/ha,  fertilizer  saving  is  estimated  to  be  upto 50%.  Therefore, ICAR recommends integrated use of fertilizers and manures. Biofertilizers, both liquid and powdered form have been developed and promoted under All India Network Project  on  Soil  Biodiversity.  Biofertilizers  for  Phosphorus  solubilization,  Nitrogen  fixation, Potassium  and  Zinc  solubilization  suitable  for  different  crops  across  the  country  are developed and many of them are commercialized.  The ICAR also imparts training on use of bio-fertilizers,  organizes  front-line  demonstrations,  awareness  programs  etc.  to  educate farmers on all these aspects. The integrated use of bio-fertilizer, organic fertilizer and organic manure has been made integral part of package of practices developed by ICAR and State Agriculture Universities. ICAR has developed liquid bio-fertilizer technology with higher shelf -life and also developed improved strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types.

National  Center of  Organic  and  Natural  Farming  (NCONF)  and  its  Regional  Centers located  at  Ghaziabad,  Nagpur,  Bangalore,  Imphal  and  Bhubaneswar  conducts  various trainings (online/offline) for farmers, Extension staff, Stakeholders consultations on natural farming/organic farming and awareness programmes etc across the country to disseminate information on organic and natural farming as well as on- farm production and use of various kinds of organic and bio-fertilizers.

Further,  the  Government  of  India  is  implementing  the  programme  National  Food Security Mission (NFSM) in the identified districts of 28 states and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.  Under the programme, assistance is being provided to the farmers through the State Government/UTs for interventions such as integrated nutrient management techniques which includes distribution of bio-fertilizers at rate of assistance @ Rs. 300/ha or 50% of cost whichever is less.

(e) To encourage millet production and consumption consequent to the declaration of year 2023 by  United  Nation's  General  Assembly  (UNGA)  as  International  Year  of  Millets  (IYM),  the Government of India is celebrating the year 2023 as 'International Year of Millets' to make it peoples'  movement  so  that  the  Indian  millets,  recipes,  value  added  products  be  accepted globally.  The  Government  of  India  is  implementing  a  multi  stakeholder  approach  towards celebration of International Year of Millets (IYM) - 2023. The action plan of IYM-2023 focuses on strategies to enhance production and productivity, consumption, export, strengthening value chain, branding, creating awareness for health benefits etc.

To increase production of millets the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)  is  implementing  a  Sub-Mission  on  Nutri-Cereals  (Millets)  under  National  Food Security Mission (NFSM) to increase production and productivity of millets (Shree Anna) in all districts of 28 States & 2 Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Under NFSMNutri  Cereals,  the  incentives  are  provided  to  the  farmers,  through  the  States/UTs,  on  crop production and protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season, organizing events/workshops, distribution of seed mini kits, publicity through print and electronic media etc.

(f) The total production of millets namely Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and small millets for 2022-23 and previous years are given below:

| Year    |   Production (in Lakh Tonnes) |
|---------|-------------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                        172.63 |
| 2020-21 |                        180.2  |
| 2021-22 |                        160    |
| 2022-23 |                        173.2  |