Biofertilizers & Organic Fertilizers in India.
Explore the policy and programmes related to biofertilizers and organic fertilizers in India. Understand the regulatory purview, production trends, quality issues, and potential barriers in this industry.
Soil health!
Soil health status and chemical fertilizers Between 2015–16 and 2018–19, millions of soil samples from
across India were tested in government-approved laboratories to understand the state of the
country’s soils. The results revealed severe and widespread deficiency of organic carbon and
micronutrients in Indian soils. About 85 per cent of the samples were deficient in organic carbon; 97
per cent samples were deficient in available nitrogen; 83 per cent samples were deficient in
phosphorus; and 71 per cent samples were deficient in potassium. At least half of the samples from 24
states and Union territories were deficient in organic carbon. Half of the samples from 32 states and
Union territories were deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). About 90 per cent of
samples from 27 states and Union territories showed deficiency in available nitrogen. Nineteen and
eight states had more than 90 per cent samples deficient in phosphorus and potassium respectively.
Soils were deficient in micronutrients as well. About 47 per cent, 39 per cent, 37 per cent and 36 per
cent soil samples were deficient in boron, zinc, iron and sulphur respectively. In 2019, India was the
second highest producer and consumer of chemical fertilizers in the world. In 2020–21, the chemical
fertilizer consumption in India, excluding single super phosphate (SSP), was 62.98 million tonne, with a
growth of more than 82.5 per cent since 2000–01. Per hectare fertilizer consumption for 2020–21
stands at 161 kg, with a growth of 75 per cent since 2000–01. In 2019–20, per hectare fertilizer
consumption in 12 states and Union territories was more than the national average of 133.4 kg. In
decreasing order of per hectare consumption, these states and Union territories are Bihar, Puducherry,
Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi
and Uttarakhand. More than 50 per cent of the chemical fertilizers consumed in India are in the form of
urea. Between 2000–01 and 2020–21, consumption of complex fertilizers grew by 163 per cent,
consumption of diammonium phosphate grew by 103 per cent, consumption of urea grew by 83 per
cent, and consumption of muriate of potassium grew by 92 per cent.
Consumption of SSP grew by 25 per cent between 2000–01 & 2018–19.
Policy & Programmes for Biofertilizers & Organic Fertilizers.
Concerns related to use of chemical fertilizers have led to a desperate search for alternative non-chemical options. These include biofertilizers and organic fertilizers. These non-chemical options are considered critical to the transition from chemical-based to sustainable farming practices like organic and natural farming. Availability of cost-effective quality biofertilizers and organic fertilizers is, therefore, of utmost importance. Biofertilizers are ready to use live formulates of beneficial microorganisms that on application to seed, root or soil mobilize nutrients through their biological activity in particular, and help in building up the micro-flora and soil health in general. Organic fertilizers consist of decomposed organic material derived from animal, human and plant residues. They are of different types depending on the source of the organic material and nature of composting. For example, organic manure is a mix of cattle dung and plant residues, while vermicompost is developed with the help of earthworms. City compost is made from organic material in urban solid waste.
Regulatory Purview of Biofertilizers & Organic Fertilizers.
In India, biofertilizers and organic fertilizers were brought under the regulatory purview of the Fertilizer
(Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order (FCO), 1985, under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare, in 2006. As of now, 11 biofertilizers are approved under FCO, which include nitrogen
fixers and phosphate-solubilizing and potassium-mobilizing biofertilizers of bacterial or fungal nature.
They are available in solid and liquid formulations. Ten organic fertilizers are approved under FCO at
present. In addition, many on-farm inputs are not part of the FCO-approved list but are used in organic
and natural farming.
Production Trends & Quality Issues.
India produced about 134,323 tonne of carrier-based solid biofertilizers.
This marked a growth of about 435 per cent over the 2008–09 figure and
83 per cent over the 2018–19 figure. In 2020–21, states in southern. In
India there are 26 laboratories performing quality testing for biofertilizers
and organic fertilizers. Those laboratories have a combined capacity to
test 14,050 biofertilizer and organic fertilizer samples every year. They
include seven Central government laboratories of Regional Centres of
Organic Farming (RCOF). However, many states do not have their own
laboratories. Testing capacities of RCOF are not properly utilized. In
2019–20, only 28 per cent of the capacity was utilized. The number of
biofertilizer samples tested decreased from 654 in 2013–14 to 483 in
2019–20. The proportion of biofertilizer samples failing the quality tests
increased from 1 per cent in 2013–14 to 44 per cent in 2019–20. Only 477
organic fertilizer samples were tested in 2019–20. The percentage of
samples failing the tests rose from 9% in 2013–14 to 46 %in 2019–20.
Inputs received from a vast majority of stakeholders from across the
country have also highlighted the widespread availability of inferior
quality and spurious biofertilizer and organic fertilizer products.
Stakeholders point out that the procurement of biofertilizers and organic
fertilizers by the state through tenders at low prices is one of the major
reasons for the inferior quality of the products distributed to farmers
under various schemes. Media in states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh regularly
report on the poor quality of biofertilizer and organic fertilizer products
and issues related to poor FCO implementation by state agriculture
departments, variation in laboratory test results between state and
Centre-owned laboratories, existence of fake companies, and several
complaints by farmers.
Massive but underutilized potential.
India is fortunate to have an abundance of organic fertilizer sources. A
2020 study mentions that the potential quantity of organic material
(cattle dung, crop residue and municipal solid waste) in the country is
about 1,056 million tonne per annum, of which about 35 per cent is
actually available for utilization. An earlier 2010 study estimated the
potential availability at 1,566 million tonne, with potential nitrogen,
phosphorus and pottasium (NPK) nutrient supply of 47.3 million tonne, but
only 27 per cent of it is actually utilized. This potential availability of 47.3
million tonne of nutrient supply from organic sources is more than the
current 34 million tonne current combined nutrient consumption from
chemical fertilizers and organic and biofertilizers in crop production in
India.
Potential Barriers for Biofertilizers & Organic Fertilizers.
Several barriers have been identified in more widespread use of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers. These are mostly related to funding, subsidies and support for promotion of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers; quality control; and data collection and reporting. The major recommendations include:
a) A targeted, ambitious and well-funded nationwide programme is needed to drive the change towards organic and natural farming.
b) Quality of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers must be ensured by developing and institutionalizing a robust monitoring and enforcement mechanism through collaboration between the Centre and states.
c) Production and availability of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers must be ensured and their use must be promoted through a multi-pronged approach by the Centre and states.
Importance of Soil Health & Chemical Policy and Programmes.
Soil health can be determined by various physical, chemical and
biological indicators. These include percentage of organic carbon,
macro- and micronutrients, and micro- and macro-organisms present in
the soil; its bulk density; water holding capacity; pH; and electrical
conductivity. In 2014–15, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’
Welfare initiated the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme as part of the National
Mission of Sustainable Agriculture. The scheme involved large-scale
testing of soil health parameters and disbursement of soil health cards to
farmers. Overall, about 52 millio soil samples have been tested as part of
Cycle 1 from 2015–16 to 2016–17 and Cycle 2 from 2017–18 to 2018–19. In
addition, about 1.964 million tests have also been conducted as part of
the Model Villages Programme.1 Results from across India reveal the
deteriorating health of Indian soils. Most Indian soils are deficient in
organic carbon and macronutrients. This means that levels of organic
carbon and macronutrients are either “very low”, “low” or “medium” for
most soils in India About 85 per cent samples are deficient in organic
carbon. Of these samples, about 15 per cent contain very low levels of
organic carbon, 49 per cent contain low levels of organic carbon and 21
per cent contain medium levels of organic carbon. Similarly, 97 per cent
samples are deficient in nitrogen. Of these, 45 per cent samples show
very low levels of nitrogen, 36 per cent samples show low levels of
nitrogen and 16 per cent samples show medium levels of nitrogen. Again,
83 per cent samples are deficient in phosphorus. Of them, 17 per cent
reveal very low levels of phosphorus, 31 per cent reveal low levels of
phosphorus and 35 per cent reveal medium levels of phosphorus. About
71 per cent samples are deficient in potassium. Of these samples, about 5
per cent have very low levels of potassium, 14 per cent have low levels of
potassium and 52 per cent have medium levels of potassium. Indian soils
are also deficient in micronutrients but not as much as they are deficient in
macronutrients. Among micronutrients, more samples show deficits in
boron, iron, sulphur and zinc content and a lesser number shows deficits in
copper and manganese content.
Growing use of chemical fertilizers in India.
In 2020–21, the total consumption of chemical fertilizers in India, excluding SSP, was 62.98 million
tonne. This is 82.5 per cent more than the 34.5 million tonne consumption in 2000-01. In addition, if we
assume that the consumption of SSP has remained unchanged since 2018–19, the total estimated
chemical fertilizer consumption comes to about 66.5 million tonne in 2020-21. Urea, the key source of
nitrogen in soil, is the most commonly used fertilizer in India. In 2020–21, it hogged 53 per cent of the
total fertilizer consumption in the country, followed by 19 per cent and 20 per cent share of
diammonium phosphate (DAP) and complex fertilizers respectively. DAP is a popular phosphatic
fertilizer and complex fertilizers are a mix of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulphur. Muriate of
potash (MOP) had about 5 per cent share in the total fertilizer consumption in India. In the last two
decades (2000–01 to 2020–21), the consumption of complex fertilizers has grown by 163 per cent,
consumption of DAP has grown by 103 per cent, consumption of urea has grown by 83 per cent,
consumption of MOP has grown by 92 per cent. Consumption of SSP has grown by 25 per cent
between 2000–01 and 2018–19.
Chemical fertilizer use and nutrient deficiency in soils.
Several studies have suggested that crops no longer respond to chemical fertilizers as they used to.
For example, a study that documented yield, fertilizer application and fertilizer response ratio in
irrigated areas in India from 1970 to 2015 found that fertilizer response ratio (kg grain per kg nutrient
applied in the form of fertilizers) has decreased to a quarter in this duration. It was 13.4 in 1970 and
dropped down to 2.7 by 2015.16 It has been well established that due to heavy subsidization, the
nitrogenphosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio has been skewed towards nitrogen. In 2020–21, it was
6.5:2.8:1 compared to the desirable 4:2:1. Results of All India Coordinated Research Project on Long-
Term Fertilizer Experiments have indicated that continuous use of nitrogenous fertilizers alone has a
deleterious effect on soil health and crop productivity showing deficiencies of other macroand micro-
nutrients. Even after application of recommended doses of NPK or more, deficiency of micronutrients
and secondary nutrients becomes a yieldlimiting factor over the years. Nutrient deficiency may also
affect growth and cause physiological disorders in plants. These investigations were carried out at
fixed sites for over five decades.
Biofertilizers and organic fertilizers policy and programmes.
The growing concern over the harmful effects and diminishing returns of
chemical fertilizers has led to a desperate search for alternative non-
chemical options. These include biofertilizers and organic fertilizers.
Actually, “search” is a misnomer here because organic fertilizers like
manure have been in use since the dawn of agriculture, way before
chemicals began to be used in the 1960s as part of the “green revolution”
in the country. A return to these non-chemical options is considered
critical in the transition from chemical-based to sustainable farming
practices like organic and natural farming. Therefore, availability of cost-
effective quality biofertilizers and organic fertilizers is important.
Biofertilizers are ready-to-use live formulates of beneficial
microorganisms that on application to seed, root or soil mobilize and
augment the availability of nutrients through their biological activity in
particular, and help build up microflora and soil health in general.They
provide nutrients by working symbiotically with plant roots or through
solubilization or mobilization of nutrients from soil or atmosphere. There
are many identified beneficial microorganisms, of which a few are
commercially exploited as biofertilizers.
Approved Organic Fertilizers in India.
As of now, 11 types of biofertilizers are approved. The first four
biofertilizers— Azospirillum, Azotobacter, phosphate-solubilizing
bacteria and Rhizobium—were approved in 2006. In 2010, mycorrhizal
biofertilizers and in 2012 Acetobacter were added to the list. Phosphate-
solubilizing fungal biofertilizer was the latest addition in 2019. In 2020–21,
states in southern India produced about half of the carrier-based solid
fertilizers produced in the country, and states in the West Zone produced
a little over one-fourth. About one-fifth was produced in northern India
and 3 per cent in eastern Indian states. Northeastern states produced less
than 1 per cent.
Liquid biofertilizers.
India produced about 26,442 kilolitre (kl) of liquid biofertilizers in 2020–
21. This marked a growth of 552 per cent from the 4,055 kl of liquid
biofertilizers production in
2014–15 States in the southern India produced about half of India’s liquid
biofertilizers, followed by states in the West Zone, that had a 40 per cent
share. Northern India produced 7.5 per cent of India’s liquid biofertilizers
and eastern India produced about 3.4 per cent.
Northeastern states produced less than 1 per cent.
Competitive Landscape.
TAMIL NADU—INITIATIVES TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE BIOFERTILIZERS Tamil Nadu is a leading
producer of both solid and liquid biofertilizers. The state has recognized that the advantages of good
quality biofertilizers with high microbial population load include greater efficacy, soil health and
productivity. Therefore, the state government vigorously encourages use of biofertilizers to overcome
the illeffects of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers.
IFFCO AND KRIBHCO Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO) and Krishak Bharti Cooperative Ltd
(KRIBHCO) are two leading cooperatives operating in the chemical fertilizer sector. They are also
among the biggest biofertilizer manufacturers in India.
EVIDENCE ON HOLISTIC BENEFITS!
Centre for Science and Environment’s report ‘Evidence on Holistic
Benefits of Organic and Natural Farming in India’, February 2022 makes it
abundantly clear that organic and natural farming have several holistic
benefits over chemical-dependent inorganic farming. The former is not
only more profitable and sustainable but also productive over time. The
report also finds that organic and natural farming also fare better than
integrated farming (a mix of inorganic and organic approaches) on
profitability and sustainability, while being at par with it in terms of
productivity.
Related to manufacturers of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers.
- Low and uncertain demand prevents biofertilizer and organic fertilizer industry from optimally utilizing its capacity and discourages more investment in the industry. Farmers are not very aware of the benefits of non-chemical fertilizers. Dealers are also not very interested in buying and selling them.
- Availability of spurious and fake biofertilizer and organic fertilizer products in the market leads to loss of trust among farmers and discourages genuine manufacturers.
- Corruption in securing licences and authorizations for manufacturing, selling and quality testing of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers acts as a hindrance to their manufacture and sale.
- Limited government support for production, promotion and procurement of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers hampers production and sale.
Embrace the Future of Sustainable Agriculture!
Use of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers is dependent on the adoption of organic and natural farming
or an integrated approach. An increase in the use of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers will, in turn,
reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers, and increase soil fertility and health in the longer term.
Many government programmes support organic farming. The government has also expressed a desire
to make natural farming a mass movement. The key questions remains: How do we go about it? There
are several aspects for achievement of success in the domain of organic and natural farming.
Availability of quality biofertilizers and organic fertilizers at an affordable price is the most crucial factor
in this transition.
It is becoming clearer by the day that chemical fertilizers are not a sustainable solution to the problem
of depletion of soil nutrients as a result of agriculture, particularly crop production. Biofertilizers and
organic fertilizers not only provide nutrients to crops, they also help in restoring soil health and
ecological balance. The power and potential of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers, we need to ensure
their quality and accessibility.
