The government is promoting the production of biofertilizers in the country through various programs under National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and Network Project on Organic Farming under Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). This information was provided by Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, minister of state for agriculture and food processing industries in the parliament on July 18, 2014.

The minister further revealed that under soil health management (SHM) component of NMSA, financial assistance upto 50 percent of the cost subject to a limit of Rs 5,000/- per hectare and Rs 10,000/- per beneficiary is provided for the promotion of organic or chemical free inputs on a farmers' field.

Under the SHM component of NMSA, financial assistance of upto 33 percent of the financial outlay, with a ceiling of Rs 63 lakhs is provided as back-ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of agro / vegetable waste compost production units. Assistance has been provided for 56 nos. of Bio-fertiliser production units and 17 nos. of fruits/ vegetables agro-waste compost units have been established under the scheme.

Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), financial assistance for establishing vermi compost units and HDPE Vermi beds is at 50 percent of the cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000/- per beneficiary for a unit having size of 30'x8'x2.5'. For smaller units assistance is on prorate basis. For HDPE Vermi bed of 96 cft size (12'x4'x2'), the assistance is Rs 8,000/- per bed.

"Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a technology for the preparation of enriched / vermi compost from various organic wastes. All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response (AICRP-STCR), under the aegis of ICAR has developed a soil test based fertilizer prescription model to achieve a desired yield target taking due consideration of crop nutrient requirements and contribution from soil and fertilizers. The information for 15 States covering different crops have been uploaded onto IISS Website: http://www.iiss.nic.in/STCR%202014.pdf," revealed the minsiter.