Lok Sabha Question No. 701 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-25
Subject: Biological Substitutes for Chemical Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 701

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 Th  JULY, 2023

## BIOLOGICAL SUBSTITUTES FOR CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

701. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government agrees that biological substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides can improve health of soil, human and planet, besides benefiting farmers;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made for the development of these substitutes; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefore?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c): It is agreed that biological substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides can improve health of soil, human and planet, besides benefiting farmers.

In order to promote use of bio-fertilizers, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)  has  developed  improved  and  efficient  strains  of  bio-fertilizers  specific  to  different crops and soil types under the Network project on 'Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers'. Under this project ICAR has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizer specific to different crops  and  soil  types,  Liquid  Bio-fertilizer  technology  with  higher  shelf  life,  bio-fertilizer consortia formulation with two or more bio-fertilizer strains, microbial enriched bio-compost and Zinc & Potassium Solubilizing Bio-fertilizers. The ICAR also imparts training to educate farmers on use of bio-fertilizers.

Government  is  promoting  use  of  bio-fertilizers and  organic  fertilizers  and  biopesticides under organic farming through the scheme 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 inputs and end to end support to farmers   i.e.  from production to marketing  of  organic  produce  is  ensured.  Hands-on  training  to  farmers  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  32500/  ha/  3  years  under MOVCDNER for on-farm organic inputs including bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides as well as for procurement of off-farm organic inputs.

Under  Soil  Health  Card  (SHC)  scheme  of  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY), States are provided assistance to promote Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of Chemical Fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures and bio-fertilizers. Under SHC scheme various training demonstration programme as well as farmer's melas and workshops are organized.

In order to ensure the avaibility of good quality of bio-fertilizers, organic fertilizers and Bio-  stimulants,  the  Government  of  India  regulates  its  quality  under  the  Fertilizer  Control Order  (1985).  Government  has  notified  32  quality  testing  laboratory  and  initiated  steps  to accredit  its  laboratories  to  strengthen  quality  control  activities.  Government  has  also developed  a  web  portal  (https://frs.dbtfert.nic.in/  )  for  online  registration  of  all  kinds  of fertilizers to make registration easier and simplified.

For encouraging production and use of organic fertilizers, Government has approved Market development assistance @ Rs. 15,000/ tones for Fermented Organic Manure (FOM).

To incentivize the farmers to reduce the overall consumption of fertilizers for improving soil  health  and  fertility  and  sustainable  productivity,  Government  has  announced  'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PMPRANAM)' which  will  be  launched  to  incentivize  States  and  Union  Territories  to  promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. Under this programme, 50% of subsidy savings will be passed on as a grant to the state that saves the money.

Under  Mission  Life  programme,  Government  is  taking  up  various  environment Initiative 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 fertilizer and pesticides.

National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) and its Regional Center of Organic  and  Natural  Farming  located  at  Ghaziabad,  Nagpur,  Bangalore,  Imphal  and Bhubaneswar are organizing various HRD trainings namely One Day Farmers' Training, Two Days Training for Extension Officers/Staff, Two Days Training on PGS, 30 Days Certificate course,  One  day  Jaivik  evam  Prakratik  Kisan  Sammelan  for  500  participants,  One  Day Stakeholder consultations/ conferences on Natural Farming for 100 participitants, Orientation Program on Natural Farming and awareness programmes 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.  NCONF  and  RCONF  also  organize  online  awareness campaign and training prpgrammes on organic and natural farming and production and use of organic and bio-fertilizers.

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