Under the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), Government is promoting production  of various organic inputs in the country including biofertilizers.  NPOF provides financial assistance upto 25% of total financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs.40 lakhs as credit linked back-ended subsidy for setting up Bio-fertilizers production units.

                Under the Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), assistance is provided for supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria, Azotobacter and Azospirillum culture @ 50% cost of culture or Rs.100/- per hectare whichever is less.  Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) on Pulses, including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P), assistance for popularizing Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising bacteria is provided to the farmers under cluster demonstrations.  Similarly, under Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) Programme, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria/Azotobacter culture is provided to the farmers as part of technology demonstration.  In addition, states are free to provide funds under RKVY for promoting use of Biofertiliser with the prior approval of state level sanctioning committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary.  Details of funds allocated under NPOF, INSIMP, ISOPOM and NFSM during Eleventh and Twelfth Five Year Plans are given below.

Under NPOF, a total of 56 nos. biofertilizers production units and 17 nos. of fruit/vegetables waste compost units have been established in the country.  Government has been advocating integrating use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures including biofertilizers for increasing production of major crops.  All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers is implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for R & D on biofertilizers.  The ICAR has developed technologies to prepare various types of organic manures such as phosphocompost, vermi compost, municipal solid waste compost etc.  Improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types are being developed under Network Project on biofertilizers.

Central Government has notified biofertilizers like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter, PSB, KMB, Zinc Solubilizing bacteria under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO).

            Annexure-I

Details of funds allocated under various schemes for use of biofertilizers are as under:

                                                                                               (Rs. in Lakh)

*Upto 30.11.2013

**INSIMP Scheme was launched w.e.f. 2011-12

***Under NFSM Pulses, the fund is allocated for Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) components including biofertilizers.  Separate record for bio-fertilizers component is not maintained.

This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar  in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions.

MP: CP: promotion (rajya) 21.2.2014