Union Minister Highlights Government Initiatives to Promote Bio-Fertilisers
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The Central government is actively promoting the use of bio-fertilisers, which serve as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly source of nutrients, and are deemed vital for organic farming and Integrated Nutrient Management, according to Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary during a session in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Bio-fertilisers are supported under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) schemes.
Under the PKVY initiative, farmers receive financial support of Rs 15000/ha for three years via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for both on-farm and off-farm organic inputs, which include bio-fertilisers.
Through MOVCDNER, farmers are granted financial assistance of Rs 32500/ha for three years for organic inputs, encompassing bio-fertilisers, the minister mentioned.
The National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) along with its regional centers in Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Imphal, and Bhubaneswar are providing various training programs and awareness initiatives focused on organic farming and the production and application of organic and bio-fertilisers.
In addition to training and awareness, quality assurance for bio-fertilisers has been established under the Fertiliser Control Order (1985), mandating manufacturers to comply with specified quality standards.
Over the past five years, Rs 693.30 Cr and Rs 236.78 Cr have been transferred to farmers through DBT under PKVY and MOVCDNER for inputs including bio-fertilisers, the minister noted.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed effective strains of bio-fertilisers tailored for various crops and soil types to minimize the reliance on chemical fertilisers in agricultural practices.
ICAR advocates the integrated usage of fertilisers and manures. Bio-fertilisers, available in both liquid and powdered forms, have been developed and promoted under the All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity.
Bio-fertilisers designed for phosphorus solubilisation, nitrogen fixation, and potassium and zinc solubilisation, suitable for diverse crops across the nation, have been developed and many are already in commercial use.
ICAR also conducts training sessions on bio-fertiliser application and organizes front-line demonstrations and awareness programs to educate farmers on these practices.
The minister further elaborated that to motivate farmers to adopt bio-fertilisers, the government has implemented various initiatives, integrating the use of bio-fertilisers, organic fertilisers, and organic manures as a core aspect of the practices developed by ICAR and State Agricultural Universities.
Moreover, ICAR has innovated liquid bio-fertiliser technology with enhanced shelf life and has created improved strains of bio-fertilisers specific to various crops and soil conditions.
The government continues to execute the PKVY and MOVCDNER schemes nationwide. Financial assistance of Rs 15000/ha for three years is available under both schemes through DBT to ensure farmers can procure organic inputs, including bio-fertilisers.
