Management of Agri-Inputs

DIVYESH

2012
Bio-fertilizer

Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture Butala Divyesh AnilBhai A1403110002 MBA Agri & Food Business

Bio-fertilizer

Introduction:A bio-fertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Bio-fertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilising phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growthpromoting substances. Bio-fertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The microorganisms in bio-fertilizers restore the soil's natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Through the use of bio-fertilizers, healthy plants can be grown, while enhancing the sustainability and the health of the soil. Since they play several roles, a preferred scientific term for such beneficial bacteria is "plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria" (PGPR). Therefore, they are extremely advantageous in enriching soil fertility and fulfilling plant nutrient requirements by supplying the organic nutrients through microorganism and their by-products. Hence, bio-fertilizers do not contain any chemicals which are harmful to the living soil. Bio-fertilizers are eco-friendly organic agro-input and more cost-effective than chemical fertilizers. Bio-fertilizers such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and blue green algae (BGA) have been in use a long time. Rhizobiuminoculant is used for leguminous crops. Azotobacter can be used with crops like wheat, maize, mustard, cotton, potato and other vegetable crops. Azospirillum inoculations are recommended mainly for sorghum, millets,maize, sugarcane and wheat. Blue green algae belonging to a generalcyanobacteria genus, Nostoc or Anabaena or Tolypothrix or Aulosira, fix atmospheric nitrogen and are used as inoculations for paddy crop grown both under upland and low-land conditions. Anabaena in association with water fern Azolla contributes nitrogen up to 60 kg/ha/season and also enriches soils with organic matter. Other types of bacteria, so-called phosphate-solubilising bacteria, such as Pantoea agglomerans strain P5 or Pseudomonas putida strain P13, are able to solubilize the insoluble phosphate from organic and inorganic phosphatesources. In fact, due to immobilization of phosphate by mineral ions such asFe, Al and Ca or organic acids, the rate of available phosphate (Pi) in soil is well below plant needs. In addition, chemical Pi fertilizers are also immobilized in the soil, immediately, so that less than 20 percent of added fertilizer is absorbed by plants. Therefore, reduction in Pi resources, on one hand, and environmental pollutions resulting from both production and applications of chemical Pi fertilizer, on the other hand, have already demanded the use of new generation of phosphate fertilizers globally known as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria or phosphate bio-fertilizers.

Bio-fertilizer

Govt Scheme Title Types Objectives National Project on Development and Use of Bio fertilizers Central Sector Scheme Production and distribution of Bio fertilizers (BFs) Develop Standards for different BFs and Quality control Release of grants for setting up BF units Training and Publicity Under this scheme the Government provides non-recurring grants-in-aid up to Rs.20.00 lakhs for setting up bio fertilizer production units of 150 MT capacities. The grant-in-aid is offered to State Departments of Agriculture/cooperatives/public sector undertakings of fertilisers, NGOs and private agencies provided their proposals are received from respective State Governments. One time grant-in-aid to the extent of Rs.1.50 lakhs is provided for establishment of Blue-green algae sub-centre to produce 3040 tonnes of BGA/annum provided their proposals are received from respective State Governments This scheme is being implemented in the country with the help of a National and 6 Regional centres for training, field demonstration and its promotion and also through Department of Agriculture & Cooperation i.e. release of one time grant-inaid for setting up BF units.

Salient features

Major Players in India: (2006-2007) No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Company KRIBHCO IFFCO NFL MFL FACT RCF BVFCL Capacity (MT) 550.00 240.00 100.00 100.00 150.00 150.00 30.00 Production (MT) 737.8 394.27 165.39 228.21 3.91 105.00 7.06

Bio-fertilizer

SWOT Analysis: Strength Weakness Abundant source of microorganisms. Apart from major players all Cos are small and middle size Well established fermentation industry enterprises, little capital. foundation in India. Most farmers need to be educated. Fertilizer most widely used material, stable demand in domestic and Should strengthen application and overseas markets. protection of pathogenic fungi patents. Opportunity Threat Development of organic agriculture Substandard and fake products in and environmental protection concept the market, affecting credibility of on the rise in many nations. bio fertilizer. Strategic alliances, integrating bio Imported agriculture products fertilizer and pesticide industry, go affect production of domestic into product diversification and agriculture products, easily reduce costs. manipulated by multinational Cos The pathogenic fungi developed domestically are better adapted than the pathogenic fungi from the cold regions of Europe and North America, which can be promoted into the Southeast Asian and China markets. Current development bottlenecks 1. Industry bottlenecks Difficult to find talent within the industry, lack of research talent. Quality of products inconsistent, quality unstable. Besides farmers in high economic value crop areas, ordinary farmers lack knowledge of application. Small scale of manufacturers with no R&D ability. 2. Technical bottlenecks The preservation and stability technology for biofertilizer product's additives needs to be improved. Product's multifunction needs to be improved. Pathogenic fungi product's adaptability toward the environment and crops needs to be enforced. References
http://fert.nic.in/production/bio_fertilizers.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer http://agro.indiamart.com/agro-programme-schemes/fertiliser1.html http://www.imdr.edu/marketing_of_biofertilizers.html