Bio-Fertilisers being Promoted for better Soil Health

Ministry of Agriculture21-August, 2012 16:46 IST




Bio-Fertilisers being Promoted for better Soil Health Government is promoting use of bio-fertilisers through a Central Sector Scheme National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) for setting up of new or strengthening of existing bio-fertiliser production units, technology transfer and training etc. To ensure quality of bio-fertilisers - Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria, Potash Mobilising Bacteria, Zinc Solubilising Bacteria and Mycrorhizal bio-fertilisers have been incorporated in Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.

The total production of bio-fertilisers was 20,111 Metric Tone (MT), 25,065 MT, 20,040 MT and 37,998 MT during 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. The trend in use of bio-fertilizers is increasing but the total area covered under bio-fertilizers about 3% of total cultivable area in the country.

Awareness creation activities on use of bio-¬fertiliser is being addressed through training programme seminar and through advisory in package and practices for different crops under organic management. ICAR also imparts training, organizes field level demonstrations etc. to educate farmers on use of bio-¬fertilisers. During 2006-12, a total 320 demonstrations were conducting on various crops in different States.

Application of bio-fertilisers to seed or soil is ongoing process to keep the soil healthy and to get healthy crop yield.

This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

MP: CP: bio-fertilisers (21.8.2012)
(Release ID :86398)