GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2022
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 1ST AUGUST, 2023
USE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES
2022. SHRI R.K. SINGH PATEL:

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

(a) Whether the Government proposes to promote the use of organic fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) The extent to which crop yield has increased by the use of bio-fertilizers and pesticides during the last three years;

(d) the action plan prepared by the Government to increase the use of bio-fertilizers and pesticides in the country;

(e) the steps being taken to reduce the use of chemicals and promote the use of biofertilizers; and

(f) the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE 

 (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): Government is promoting the use of organic-fertilizers under organic farming in the country through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Farmers are provided subsidy of Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years under PKVY and 32500/ ha/ 3 years under MOVCDNER for various organic inputs including organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are also made integral part of package of practices developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agriculture Universities.

Government has announced “PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM)” 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 promotion of organic and natural farming and organic fertilizers. To promote the use of organic fertilizers, Government has announced Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs 1500/tonnes for Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), Liquid Organic Manure (LOM) and Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM).

(c) to (f): In order to promote use of bio-fertilizers, ICAR has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under Network project on Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers. The study conducted by Indian Council of Agriculture Research under Network project on Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers has confirmed that yield of crop increases by the use of bio-fertilizers and pesticides.

The ICAR imparts training to educate farmers on use of bio-fertilizers. Moreover, ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) also conduct training for farmers on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to promote balanced use of fertilizers and pesticides. 

Government is also implementing the ‘Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine’ through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centers located in 28 States and 2 UTs with a mandate to popularize adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through training and demonstration in crops, inter-alia promotion of biological control approaches in crop protection technology with major emphasis on judicious use of chemical pesticide as a last resort, safety in use of pesticides, alternate tools for pest management viz; cultural, physical, mechanical methods of pest control as well as use of bio-pesticides andbio-control agents.

To reduce use of chemicals in agriculture, Government is promoting organic farming using various bio-fertilizers under PKVY and MOVCDNER scheme. Under Soil Health Card SHC) schemes Government is also promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with bio-fertilizers. 

Under Soil Health Management (SHM), assistance up-to Rs 160 lakh /unit (200MT capacity) is provided to State Governments for establishment of bio-fertilizer production unit on 60:40 sharing between GoI and State Government. 

To minimize use of pesticides and to augment use of bio-fertilizers Government is providing assistance under PKVY, MOVCDNER and various other schemes in the country which are given at Annexure I.

Annexure I

Steps taken by government to augment use of bio/ fertilizers through various schemes.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana (PKVY): Under PKVY Government is providing assistance of RS 50,000 /ha / 3 years out of which Rs 31,000 is provided directly through DBT for procurement/ on-farm production of organic inputs including bio fertilizers.

 Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Under MOVCDNER, farmers are provided Rs 32500/ha for 3 years for on-farm production/ procurement of organic inputs including bio-fertilizers.

 Soil Health Management (SHM): Government is providing Rs 160 lakh /unit for establishment of bio-fertilizer production unit (200MT capacity) to State Government

which is shared on 60:40 ratios between GoI and State Government. 25 bio-fertilizer production units have been established under SHM.

 National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance@ 50% subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300/- per ha is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/ Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria(ZSB)/ Azatobacter/ Mycorrhiza and vermi compost.

 National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium/ PSB) @50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha. Based on ICAR recommendation Government is promoting soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to improve soil health and fertility.