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A PROJECT REPORT ON

ROLE OF BIO FERTILIZERS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

SUBMITTED TOWARDS PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE

MBA-RURAL MANAGEMENT (2009-11)

3rd SEMESTER

SUBMITTED TO

AMITY SCHOOL OF RURAL MANAGEMENT

SUBMITTED BY

MAMTA GUPTA

(A4011309005)

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Dr. Ritesh Dwivedi


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Lecturer

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have been able to complete this project with the blessings of my parents, teachers and friends

who always supported me at every level. I thank to all those persons who helped me here and

there in the whole process of data collection and reporting.

I do have deep sense of gratitude for my faculty guide of the project Dr.Ritesh Dwivedi,

Lecturer, ASRUM for guiding and correcting various documents of mine with attention and

care. He has taken a lot of pain to go through the project and made necessary correction as and

when needed.

I express my thanks to Dr. P.C. Sabharwal, Director, Amity University, Noida for extending his

support.

My deep thanks to organization guide, Mr.Vinod Kumar Singh,field manager, INDIAN

FARMERS FERTILIZERS COOPERATIVE LIMITED for support and guidance. It is my

privilege and honor to extend my respect, regards and gratitude to them for his encouragement

and guidance at every step.

I would also thank to the farmers who have cooperated me in collection of data and gave mereliable information without whom this project would have been a distant reality. I also extend

my heartfelt thanks to my family and well wishers.

Mamta gupta.

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CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that of Amity Institute of

Rural Management of 3rd semester has completed the project on in the academic

Year 2009-11. The information Submitted is true & original to the best of my

Knowledge.

Signature of project guide

Date

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ABSTRACT

The present study is an attempt to study the role of bio fertilizers in sustainable agriculture and

current situation of agriculture practices among the farmers in the village Adaura, Kaithuliya,

Bhatuiya, bakinager and katra. The objective of this study is to know the reasons behind

decreasing tendency of bio fertilizer as well as increasing dependency of farmers on chemical

fertilizers. Awareness level of farmers about the soil testing is a major concern and it has been

focused in study. As agricultural sector contributes 17% and it is the predominant occupation in

India, accounting for about 52% of employment. The world population is increasing day by day

and to feed this population farmers are making effort to produce more and more crop yield and

they are supplying synthetic pesticides, fertilizers in imbalanced way. This is devastating soils

fertility and this is leading to less crop yield. There is need to enrich the soil with those nutrients

which make the soil fertile and this can be done only by use of bio fertilizers asbio fertilizer is

unequaled in its ability to nourish the beneficial micro-organisms in the soil. This is explained in

chapter 3 soil health.

In order to collect primary data, observation and interview schedule survey methods were

employed. In addition, information was also collected through discussions with local fertilizer

sellers and at panchayat level. The data was collected from fifty farmers from the villages

Adaura, Kaithuliya, Bhatuiya, bakinager and katra. This all has been thoroughly discussed in

chapter 4 research methodology. In chapter 5 the collected data has been analyzed. The study

reveals that farmers are much aware of benefits of bio fertilizers but due to lack of awareness

about various bio fertilizers, they are not availing the benefits and compelled to use only one

type of bio fertilizer that is compost which is also not available to all farmers. This is discussed

in chapter 6 finding of the study . The demand is much higher than the availability. The farmers

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are not aware of healthy practices for the soil health and do not know the new techniques and

trends of farming. So there is a need of awareness generation and promotion of bio fertilizers in

these villages. As per the findings of the study in chapter 7 conclusion and recommendations are

provided.

Chapters Table of contents Page no.

Chapter no. 1 Introduction of Indian farmers fertilizers cooperative 6-13

Chapter no. 2 A glimpse of agriculture 14-16

Chapter no. 3 Soil health 17-31

Chapter no. 4 Research methodology 32-34Chapter no. 5 Analysis of data 35-45

Chapter no. 6 Findings 46

Chapter no. 7 conclusion and recommendation 47-48

Chapter no. 8 References 49

Annexure.1 Schedule based on role of bio fertilizers in sustainable agriculture 50-51

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Chapter no.1

INDIAN FARMERS FERTILIZER COOPERATIVE LIMITED

Introduction

Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) engaged in the

production and distribution of fertilizers to farmers through cooperative

channel, has always believed in reaching the farmers and cooperatives

through its various promotional programmes since inception in 1967. These

programmes have provided platforms for interaction between the farmers,

cooperatives, IFFCO and the officials from various departments /institutes

associated with agricultural development in general and fertilizer use in

particular. The thrust through these programmes has always been on

maintaining soil health for sustained better crop yields. In this report IFFCOs

efforts made in the service of farmers and cooperatives have been

highlighted.

IFFCO MISSION

IFFCO's mission is "to enable Indian farmers to prosper through timely supply of reliable, high

quality agricultural inputs and services in an environmentally sustainable manner and to

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undertake other activities to improve their welfare"

To provide to farmers high quality fertilizers in right time and in adequate quantities with

an objective to increase crop productivity.

To make plants energy efficient and continually review various schemes to conserve

energy.

Commitment to health, safety, environment and forestry development to enrich the

quality of community life.

Commitment to social responsibilities for a strong social fabric

IFFCO Vision

To augment the incremental incomes of farmers by helping them to increase their crop

productivity through balanced use of energy efficient fertilizers, maintain the environmental

health and to make cooperative societies economically & democratically strong for

professionalized services to the farming community to ensure an empowered rural India.

IFFCO COMMITEMENT

Our thirst for ever improving the services to farmers and member co-operatives is insatiable,commitment to quality is insurmountable and harnessing of mother earths' bounty to drive hunger

away from India in an ecologically sustainable manner is the prime mission .All that IFFCO

cherishes in exchange is an everlasting smile on the face of Indian Farmer who form the moving

spirit behind this mision.

ABOUT IFFCO

IFFCO was registered as a multi-unit cooperative society on November 3,

1967 with an initial membership of 57 societies, which contributed a sum of

Rs. 0.549 million to its share capital. In the last over three decades the

cooperatives have contributed immensely to the growth of IFFCO and their

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membership has steadily increased to 37381 with a share capital of Rs.

4210.8 million (as on 31.3.2005).

Production and Marketing

Fertiliser

IFFCO is engaged in the production of urea at Kalol (Gujarat), Phulpur and

Aonla (Uttar Pradesh) and DAP / NPK grades (10:26:26 and 12:32:16) at

Kandla (Gujarat). Production was started in 197475 at its Kalol unit for urea

followed by Kandla unit for DAP/NPK grades. Urea production at Phulpur and

Aonla was started in 1981 and 1988, respectively. The production capacity

were enhanced and this work was completed during 1996 for Aonla, 1997

(Kalol and Phulpur) and 1999 (Kandla). Further, IFFCO has acquired DAP / NPK

plant at Paradeep, Orissa in September 2005. The total turnover was

Rs.72240 million during 2004- 05 with sales of 64.64 lakh mt of fertilizer

material. It is estimated that every 5th bag and 6th bag of fertiliser produced

and used in the country, respectively, during 2004- 05 was from IFFCO.

IFFCOs fertiliser marketing activities are spread in over 28 States and Union

Territories of the country. The entire market area of IFFCO has been divided

in to 5 zones with 20 State Offices and 62 Area Offices for administrative

purpose. In each state, there are 2 to 11 area offices depending upon the

volume of sales. Each area office covers 210 districts depending on potential

of the area. In each area office, 4 to 10 field officers are posted who are

Graduate/Post Graduate in agriculture. Presently 567 agriculture

graduates/post graduates are engaged in fertiliser distribution and promotion

at various levels in the country. As a matter of policy, IFFCO is channelisingits entire production through the cooperative channel and institutional

agencies such as State Agro Industries Development Corporations,

Commodity Federations etc.

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Since cooperatives are covering almost entire villages in the country, it helps

to ensure timely availability of fertilizers particularly at remote and

inaccessible locations. Besides, IFFCOs 158 Farmers Service Centres located

in 10 states viz. West Bengal, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan,

Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Goa supply agro-

inputs, viz., IFFCO fertilisers, seed, agro-chemicals, zinc sulphate,

biofertilisers etc., These centres are places for interaction between farmers

and IFFCO on various aspects such as soil testing, balanced and integrated

use of inputs, supply of nutrients including micronutrients and agro-

chemicals and seeds, etc. Literature in local languages on crop production

technology is made available for farmers use. In order to strengthen the

cooperatives, IFFCO has been giving preferences to the cooperatives for

storage of fertilisers in their warehouses/ godowns to ensure timely

availability of fertilisers at the sale points. Cooperatives are also given

preferences in handling and transportation of fertilisers.

A biofertiliser unit was established at CORDET, Phulpur in 1996-97 and Kalol

in 2003-04 with annual production capacity of 75 mt and 165 mt,

respectively, of different cultures viz. Rhizobium Azotobacter, PSB,

Azospirillium and Acetobacter. The biofertilisers are sold through IFFCOs

Farmers Service Centres and cooperative societies and also distributed to the

farmers as one of the component of Critical Input Package (CIP) to promote

integrated use of nutrients.

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FERTILISER PROMOTION PROGRAMMES

Field Programmes

The gap between the technologies developed under On Station situations

and its implementation under On Farm situations need to be minimized. The

technology could be demonstrated on the farmers field through

demonstration/trials which is the most effective method of convincing the

farmers on the usefulness of balanced fertilization in crops. Balanced

fertilizer use was promoted initially by giving incentive to cooperatives @

Rs.20 per mt. This was supported by undertaking field demonstrations. To

support the demonstration programme other field activities like field day,

farmers meetings, campaigns, use of electronic and print media, training

programmes for sale point personnel etc. should be effectively

utilized/organized to disseminate the message of balanced fertilization.

Integration of fertilizer supplies and field programmes together with

involvement of cooperatives is necessary for increasing productivity of crops.

IFFCO has established two static soil testing laboratories at CORDET, Phulpur

and Kalol and pressed into service five mobile testing vans and analysed 3.03

lakh soil samples CORDET, Phulpur and Kalol together have analysed 9.9 lakh

soil samples during 1980-81 to 2004-05 whereas mobile soil testing vans

have analyzed 1.88 lakhs soil samples during 1988-89 to 2004-05. Data from

soil testing over a period of time reveal that status of major nutrients in soil is

gradually declining from high to medium and medium to low status. Mobile

soil testing vans have analysed soil samples in the villages itself and results

were explained to farmers the same day. They were motivated to apply

nutrients dose based on soil test values. A limited number of soil samples for

micronutrients were also analysed at CORDET, Kalol and Phulpur.

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The cooperatives are involved in transfer of farm-technologies as they have

direct access to their member farmers. IFFCO has provided financial

assistance to the cooperatives for the construction of 47 storage cum

community centers during the period 2002-03 to 2004-05 These centers are

used as a venue for holding meetings of farming community; besides storage

of fertilizers. As a part of institutes for imparting training on various aspects

of agricultural development such as crop production technology, animal

husbandry, bee keeping, mushroom cultivation, fruit and vegetable

preservation, storage of foodgrains etc. Social and community based

programmes such as vermin compost/nadep method of compost; creation of

drinking water facilities by installation of hand pumps, tube-well and storage

tank; construction/ renovation of nali/farm ponds; assistance to school and

school children; cooperative development; supply of - agricultural

equipments (sprayers, dusters, sickles, winnowers, pump sets, etc.), fruit

saplings, PVC/alkathene pipes, animal feed; formation of self-help groups;

distribution of - wheel chairs, sewing machines, tricycles, thelia, etc; medical

and veterinary campaigns and need-based activities for the benefit of

farmers. Integration of various programmes leads to increase in a) area

under HYV, b) productivity of crops, c) fertilizer consumption and d) area

under irrigation in watershed areas.

IMPHOS IFFCO Extension Project

Field Demonstrations

The demonstrations comprising three treatments 1. Farmers practice, 2.

50% recommended dose (RD), and 3. 100% recommended dose (RD) were

laid out in the same field and in the same cropping sequence during Rabi

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2000-01 to Kharif 2003. Recommended doses of fertiliser and crop

production practices were followed for the respective crops. IFFCO has

conducted 265 On-farm demonstrations in 44 villages of 30 districts in eight

states and also organised 133 programmes comprising of soil test

campaigns, farmers meetings and field days Publicity to these programmes

was given through local press, which has created a good impact in promoting

balanced dose of nutrients. Results of demonstrations indicate that

application of 100% RD of nutrients has increased the yield of various crops

over 50% RD of nutrients and farmers practice indicating advantage of

application of balanced dose of nutrients . Application of 50% recommended

dose of nutrients decreased the yield of cotton, rice and wheat in Punjab; rice

in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh over farmers practice, the yield of rice in

Bihar and wheat in Chhattisgarh was not influenced between 50% RD of

nutrients and farmers practice as in most of the crops, farmers have applied

more nutrients in farmers practice as compared to 50% RD of nutrients. As a

part of project IMPHOS - IFFCO has undertaken following activities during the

project period: 1. National level meeting for launching IMPHOS - IFFCO

extension project field demonstrations: On-farm trials on efficient use of

phosphorus in balanced nutrition of crops in India, July 3-4, 2000, Fertiliser

Marketing Development Institute, IFFCO, Gurgaon. 2. Group discussion on

response in crops to applied phosphorus in India, December 10, 2001,

Fertiliser Marketing Development Institute, IFFCO, Gurgaon. 3. Published

folder On-farm demonstrations on balanced use of fertilisers in low fertiliser

consumption areas in India .

IARI IFFCO Collaborative Project on

Transfer of Technology

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IARIIFFCO organised a demonstration programme on farmers field with an

objective to create awareness about latest production technologies; to

demonstrate the potential of improved varieties and disseminate the

technology through field demonstrations under On-farm conditions; to bring

about further refinement of technology and to promote balanced use of

nutrients for increasing productivity of crops. Scientists from state

agricultural university/research institute and officials from Govt. Departments

were involved in the programme. The programme was initiated during Rabi

200001 and continued for 5 crop seasons till Rabi 200203 in the states of

Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and

Tamil Nadu. Total 1280 demonstrations on cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fodder,

flower and vegetable crops over an area of 603 ha were carried out on

crop/varietal diversification, zero tillage technologies, balanced fertiliser use

during the above period. By and large demonstrations conducted on various

crops on farmers field with different package of technologies have benefited

the farmers in increasing the yield and income (6). Number of extension

activities like field day, kisan mela, farmers visit to research stations,

scientists visit to farmers field etc., was carried out from time to time

benefiting more than 10,000 farmers during the implementation of this

programme. Publicity to various activities was given through radio and

newspaper to reach large number of farmers.

Training Programmes

IFFCO organises inservice training programmes for their field staff and FSC

salesman and helpers on annual basis to review and formulate action plan for

sales, promotional programmes and other related aspects. IFFCO has

developed training facilities for in-house participants and also for cooperative

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personnel at its Fertiliser Marketing Development Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana

where training programmes are organised throughout the year on various

aspects, viz., agrotechnology cooperative development, marketing and

finance management, organisational development, computer systems

related, etc. CORDET, Phulpur and Kalol regularly organize training

programmes for farmers for a period of 1-5 days on crop production

technology including horticultural crops, dairy, poultry, fruits and vegetable

preservation, computer training, tailoring and embroidery, etc. Rural

development programmes are also undertaken by CORDET in cluster of

villages on agriculture and horticulture related work. In all the training

programmes resource persons from national level organization and also from

in-house are invited to deliver lecture.

Publicity Programmes

IFFCO is exploring various sources of communication such as use of

computers, electronic and print media, radio and information technology

based medium to reach cooperatives and farmers. The thrust is on to

disseminate the message of balanced and efficient use of nutrients. IFFCO

has participated in fair and exhibitions organised at various level. Literature

in the form of folders, leaflets, pamphlets, booklets etc., printed in local

language on crop production and fertilizer use is distributed in various

programmes. A film on Miti ki parakh was prepared on the theme of balanced

use of fertiliser. IFFCO has erected hoardings/road side signboards and also

painted walls of the society godowns, etc., at strategic points. Package of

practices of crops are also written on walls in the villages.

ICT Initiatives for Farmers and Cooperatives

An endeavor is made by IFFCO to take the agriculture related information to

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farmers and cooperatives through information and communication

technology called IFFCOs agro-portal. At present, sixteen states have been

covered with information of relevance to farmers in local languages and can

be accessed through IFFCOs website www.iffco.nic.in. In addition, links to

other sites are also provided. User-friendly intuitive graphic based navigation

is provided to facilitate viewing in touch screen environment. Audio

summaries, in local languages, have been incorporated in important sections.

IFFCO has installed about 100 Farmers Information Kiosk in 16 states. It

consists of a computer and connectivity through which farmers and

cooperatives can have electronic access. Training programmes and farmers

meetings are conducted to encourage farmers to use the facilities provided in

farmers information kiosks.

Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Limited

Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Limited (IFFDC) promoted by

IFFCO was registered on October 22, 1993 under the Multi State Cooperative

Societies Act, 1984 with an objective to develop wastelands for ecological

balance and generate additional employment through integrated farming

systems approach with peoples participation. More than 26000 ha of

wasteland have been converted into multipurpose forest by promoting village

level Primary Farm Forestry Cooperative Societies (PFFCS) in the states of

Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. IFFDC has worked in

collaboration with IFFCO, India-Canada Environment Facility; Deptt. for the

International Development, UK; State Innovations for Family Planning

Services Project Agency, Luck now; National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils

Development Board, Govt. of India; District Poverty Initiatives Project/Rural

Non-farm Development Agency, Govt. of Rajasthan; Uttaranchal Livelihoods

Improvement Project for Himalayas, Govt. of Uttaranchal and also provided

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consultancy services in diversified fields to national and international

organizations.

Under Western India Rain fed Farming Project, IFFDC has conducted various

activities / programmes during the year 2002-03 to 2004-05, some of these

are - formation of 657 Self Help Groups; developed 21 Primary Livelihood

Development Cooperative Societies; dug

1799 compost pits; planted 16.84 lakh saplings; organized 117 veterinary

camps and treated about 50,000 animals; organized 54 medical camps and

treated about 5500 patients; developed water resources by - construction of

63 anicuts, 150 sunken ponds; excavated/deepened 36 farm ponds;

constructed/deepened 253 wells; installed/repaired 124 hand pumps and also

constructed number ofrapat/ dams. In addition, soil and water conservation

measures were also undertaken on an area of 380 ha, stone bunding (1030

ha), nala bank stabilization (6688 m), etc., as a result of which 1785 ha area

has been increased under irrigation. The work done by IFFDC under different

projects is: awareness for family planning measures, vaccination in children,

jatropha cultivation, formation of common interest groups to undertake

various livelihood development initiatives, etc.

Chapter .2

A glimpse of agriculture

India is predominantly an agricultural country. Over 75 per cent of its people live in villages and

nearly 70 per cent of them depend directly on agriculture. Mahatma Gandhi was never tired of

repeating that India lives in Villages. He went to the extent of saying "If the village perishes

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India will perish too". It is true that the progress and prosperity of our country is very much

linked with the growth and development of agriculture.

The biggest challenge that our country was initially faced with after gaining independence was

to feed the teeming millions of hungry masses. Since our native production then was not enough

to meet the requirements of galloping population, we had no option but to move about with

begging bowls for food. It was highly demoralizing and humiliating for a poor but great country

like ours having a glorious past and very rich and unique natural resource endowments include

diverse soil types and climatic conditions, abundant sunlight throughout the year and vast

surface and ground water resources. However, the problem of hunger had to be overcome at any

cost and this could be possible only by seeking help from other countries having surplus food

production. Now, the food grain production has reached the level of self sufficiency. From about50 million tons at the time of independence, out food grain production has witnessed a quantum

jump to over 200 million tons during 2000. We are today the second largest producer of wheat

and rice.

Indias record of progress in agriculture over the past four decades has been quite impressive.

The agriculture sector has been successful in keeping pace with rising demand for food. The

contribution of increased land area under agricultural production has declined over time and

increases in production in the past two decades have been almost entirely due to increased productivity. Contribution of agricultural growth to overall progress has been widespread.

Increased productivity has helped to feed the poor, enhanced farm income and provided

opportunities for both direct and indirect employment. The success of Indias agriculture is

attributed to a series of steps that led to availability of farm technologies which brought about

dramatic increases in productivity in 70s and 80s often described as the Green Revolution era.

The major sources of agricultural growth during this period were the spread of modern crop

varieties, intensification of input use and investments leading to expansion in the irrigated area.

In areas where Green Revolution technologies had major impact, growth has now slowed.

New technologies are needed to push out yield frontiers, utilize inputs more efficiently and

diversify to more sustainable and higher value cropping patterns. At the same time there is

urgency to better exploit potential of rain fed and other less endowed areas if we are to meet

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targets of agricultural growth and poverty alleviation. Given the wide range of agro ecological

setting and producers, Indian agriculture is faced with a great diversity of needs, opportunities

and prospects. Future growth needs to be more rapid, more widely distributed and better

targeted. These challenges have profound implications for the way farmers problems are

conceived, researched and transferred to the farmers. On the one hand agricultural research will

increasingly be required to address location specific problems facing the communities on the

other the systems will have to position themselves in an increasingly competitive environment to

generate and adopt cutting edge technologies to bear upon the solutions facing a vast majority of

resource poor farmers.

But at what cost we could achieve this remarkable production? The abundant use of chemical

fertilizers, high yielding varieties, excessive withdrawal of ground water and continuous

cultivation of crops and other usage of other high energy external inputs have over strained our

natural resources. We lost our soil inherent fertility, surface and underground potential got

reduced, soil erosion is more, soil Stalinization has increased, resistant species of pest and

disease have developed, local and traditional crops and crop varieties have disappeared. Of

course, modern technology has today become indispensable for development in any field.

However, the significance of traditional technology should not and cannot be undermined if the

development has to be sustainable. In the recent years, there has been a great worldwide

resurgence of interest in revival of traditional knowledge as a valuable resource for eco-friendlysustainable agriculture. There is growing realization that the present and future challenges of

sustainable agriculture.

Sustainability Concerns

Several indicators highlight increasing concerns of sustainability in areas which have largely

contributed to increased production in the Green Revolution era. Adoption of high yielding

cultivators is virtually complete. Almost entire wheat and rice crops in the states of Punjab,

Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh are irrigated. In the higher production regions yields are

plateauing and most traditional sources of productivity growth having been exhausted future

gains in production have to come from elsewhere.

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At farmers level concerns are being expressed in several ways. Many farmers believe that the

input levels have to be continuously increased in order to maintain high yields. In sixties and

seventies most farmers used only nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizers to achieve high yields.

Due to widespread deficiencies of several secondary and micronutrients (Fig.1), most farmers

now have to apply higher doses and a greater variety of fertilizers to maintain crop yields.

Results from many long term studies on rice-wheat cropping system show a declining yield

trends when input levels were kept constant thus the growth rate of system productivity has

been declining relative to growth rate of nutrients use. Lowering of groundwater tables due to

intensive rice-wheat system in many areas is resulting in increased costs of lifting water in the

intensively cultivated high production areas, diseases and pest problems are turning more serious

than ever before and pose both short and long large problems. It is reported that some weeds

have developed resistance to the commonly used herbicides. What this implies is that the

farmers are applying increasing amount of herbicide incurring increasing cost without the

benefit of effective control. Pesticide residues entering the food chain and overall safety in use

of pesticides continue to be serious problems.

Agriculture in the Changing Global Scenario

Steady globalization of trade has profound implications for future agricultural development.

The diversity of Indias agro-ecological setting, high bio-diversity and relatively low cost oflabour provide potential for agricultural competitiveness in a globalized economy. It is expected

that with increasing globalization of markets over the years there will be demands for

agricultural intensification. This will also be favored because of greater backward and forward

linkages between agriculture and food industry. Therefore, increase in production and

productivity are bound to be strategically important to economy. Intensification will not only

favour alleviation of rural poverty but will also improve resource conservation particularly in the

small farming sector where farmers can be encouraged to take up organized production of high

value crops such as fruits, specialty vegetables, flowers medicinal and aromatic herbs etc.

Stronger demands for crops of the small farmers will not only improve incomes and welfare but

will also make investments in technology and resource conservation more attractive.

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Chapter . 3

Soil health

Soil health refers to the condition of the soil and its potential to sustain biological functioning,

maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health. The resistance of a soil

refers to its capacity to retain function during stress or disturbance, whilst its resilience refers to

how quickly it recovers after stress or disturbance. Healthy soil is one that is productive and

easy to manage under the intended land use. It has physical, chemical and biological properties

that promote the health of plants, animals and humans while also maintaining environmental

quality.

A healthy soil is a soil that is productive and easy to manage under the intended land use. It has

biological, physical and chemical properties that promote the health of plants, animals and

humans while also maintaining environmental quality. Soil is composed of minerals, organic

matter, water and air. The part of soil that remains largely concealed (but is the powerhouse of a

healthy soil) is the organisms - small animals, worms, insects and microbes.

To maintain the soil health and productivity two things are necessary one is use of bio fertilizers

as bio fertilizers increases soil productivity and and soil testing as the farmers find it extremely

difficult to know the proper type of fertilizer, which would match his soil. In using a fertilizer he

must take into account the requirement of his crops and the characteristics of the soil.

Soil testing

The basic objective of the soil-testing programme is to give farmers a service leading to better

and more economic use of fertilizers and better soil management practices for increasing

agricultural production. High crop yields cannot be obtained without applying sufficient

fertilizers to overcome existing deficiencies.

Efficient use of fertilizers is a major factor in any programme designed to bring about an

economic increase in agricultural production. The farmers involved in such a programme will

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have to use increasing quantities of fertilizers to achieve the desired yield levels. However the

amounts and kinds of fertilizers required for the same crop vary from soil to soil, even field to

field on the same soil. The use of fertilizers without first testing the soil is like taking medicine

without first consulting a physician to find out what is needed. It is observed that the fertilizers

increase yields and the farmers are aware of this. But are they applying right quantities of the

right kind of fertilizers at the right time at the right place to ensure maximum profit? Without a

fertilizer recommendation based upon a soil test, a farmer may be applying too much of a little

needed plant food element and too little of another element which is actually the principal factor

limiting plant growth. This not only means an uneconomical use of fertilizers, but in some cases

crop yields actually may be reduced because of use of the wrong kinds or amounts, or improper

use of fertilizers.

A fertilizers recommendation from a soil testing laboratory is based on carefully conducted soil

analyses and the results of up-to-date agronomic research on the crop, and it therefore is most

scientific information available for fertilizing that crop in that field.

Each recommendation based on a soil test takes into account the values obtained by these

accurate analysis, the research work so far conducted on the crop in the particular soil areas, and

the management practices of the concerned farmer. The soil test with the resulting fertilizer

recommendation is therefore the actual connecting link between agronomic research and its

practical application to the farmers fields. However, soil testing is not an end in itself. It is a

means to an end. A farmer who follows only the soil test recommendations is not assured of a

good crop. Good crop yields are the result of the application also of other good management

practices, such as proper tillage, efficient water management, good seed, and adequate plant

protection measures. Soil testing is essential and is the first step in obtaining high yields and

maximum returns from the money invested in fertilizers.

BIO FERTILIZER

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The name itself is self explanatory. The fertilizers are used to improve the fertility of the land

using biological wastes, hence the term bio fertilizers, and biological wastes do not contain any

chemicals which are detrimental to the living soil. They are extremely beneficial in enriching the

soil with those micro-organisms, which produce organic nutrients for the soil and help combat

diseases. The farm produce does not contain traces of hazardous and poisonous materials. Thus

those products are accepted across the world as Organic ones. Hence for organic farming the use

of bio fertilizers is mandatory.

Bio Fertilizers are the most advanced bio technology necessary to support developing organic

agriculture, sustainable agriculture, green agriculture and non-pollution agriculture. This Bio-

organic Fertilizer can increase the output, improve the quality and it is responsible for

agriculture environment. Today, it has been widely used with excellent results in all kinds of

plants and several countries. It is well known that the continue use and overuse of petrochemical

based fertilizers and toxic pesticides have caused a detrimental effect to our soils, water

supplies, foods, animals and even people. The Biological Grower is more sensible with

sustainable approach and employs the resources of both science and nature to allow better

results in his production. For centuries, peat moss has been recognized soil bacteria, fungi,

earthworms, and other bio-organisms to enrich the soil to produce safe, nutritious and abundant

crops as excellent fertilizer sources.

Galaxy of Bio fertilizers:

Phospho: It releases insoluble phosphorus in soil and fix this phosphorus in clay minerals which

is of great significance in agriculture.

Rhizo: Rhizo Bacterial plays a very important role in agriculture by inducing nitrogen fixings

nodules on the root of legumes such as peas, beans clove and alfalfa.

Azotobactor: Atmosphere contains 78% nitrogen which is a very important nutrient for plant

growth. Azotobactor fixes the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and make it available to the

plants. Itprotects the roots from other pathogens present in the soil

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Trichoderma: It is a non- pathogenic and eco-friendly product. The product is antagonistic

hyper parasitic against different pathogens in the field and economically well established bio

control agent.

Composter: (Decomposing Culture): Composter breaks down any organic matter such as dead

plants farm yard waste, cattle waste etc. thereby increasing the soil productivity.

Tricho-Card: Trichogramma is an efficient destroyer of eggs of many leaf and flower eaters,

stems, fruit, shoot borers etc. It can be used in a variety of crops as well as in horticultural and

ornamental plants ,such as sugarcane,cotton,brinjal,tomato,corn,jawar,vegetables,citrus,paddy

apple etc.

Compost

Compost is a common name for humus, which is the result of the decomposition of organic

matter. The decomposition is performed primarily by microbes, although larger creatures such

as ants and nematode and oligo chaete worms (see vermi composting) contribute to the process.

This occurs naturally in all but the most hostile environments, such as within landfills or in

extremely arid deserts, which prevent the microbes and other decomposers from thriving.

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. Rather than allowing nature to

take its slow course, a composter provides an optimal environment in which decomposers can

thrive. To encourage the most active microbes, a compost pile needs the correct mix of the

following ingredients:

Carbon

Nitrogen

Oxygen (air)

Water

Decomposition happens even in the absence of some of these ingredients, but not nearly as

quickly and not nearly as pleasantly. (For example, vegetables in a plastic bag will still

decompose, but the absence of air encourages the growth of anaerobic microbes that produce

disagreeable odors.)

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Vermi Compost: It is 100% pure eco-friendly organic fertilizer. This organic fertilizer has

nitrogen phosphorus, potassium,organic carbon,sulphur,hormones,vitamins,enzymes and

antibiotics which helps to improve the quality and quantity of yield. It is observed that due to

continuous misuse of chemical fertilizer soil losses its fertility and gets salty day by day. To

overcome such problems natural farming is the only remedy and Vermi compost is the best

solution.

Bio compost: It is eco-friendly organic fertilizer which is prepared from the sugar industry

waste material which is decomposed and enriched of with various plants and human friendly

bacteria and fungi. Bio compost consists of nitrogen, phosphate solubilizing bacteria and various

useful fungi like decomposing fungi, trichoderma viridea which protects the plants from various

soil borne disease and also help to increase soil fertility which results to a good quality product

to the farmers.

Difference between chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizers differ from chemicals fertilizers in that they feed your plants while adding

organic material to the soil. Soils with lots of organic matter remain loose and airy, hold more

moisture and nutrients, foster growth of soil organisms, and promote healthier plant root

development. If only chemicals are added the soil gradually loses its organic matter and micro

biotic activity. As organic matter is used up, the soil structure deteriorates, becoming compact,

lifeless and less able to hold water and nutrients. These results in increased amounts of chemical

fertilizers needed to feed plants. We also like organic fertilizers because they're made from

renewable resources; chemicals are not.

The Bio Fertilizer is a premium natural fertilizer composed just with certified organic

ingredients especially for nutrient-poor Western soils. This organic fertilizer is unequaled in its

ability to nourish the beneficial micro-organisms in the soil greatly increasing the soils humus

content and improving its ability to sustain and nurture healthy, more colorful plants. Use by the

handful when planting individual plants, broadcast and mix it deeply into the soil when planting

flower beds or spread it around established plants and scratch it into the soil. It is also excellent

for use in vegetable gardens, container plantings and as a compost-pile activator

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The Peat moss is a plant that could lives well in an environment poor in oxygen but when dies,

it's decomposition could takes thousands of years, That property, give them special properties to

the cells, making them much bigger and it that helps to KEEPS the water and nutrients that

could be applied later to the plants.

Benefits of using bio fertilizers

Increase crop yield by 20-30%.

Replace chemical nitrogen and phosphorus by 25%.

Stimulate plant growth.

Activate the soil biologically.

Restore natural soil fertility.

Provide protection against drought and some soil borne diseases.

Advantages of bio-fertilizers

1. Cost effective.

2. Supplement to fertilizers.

3. Eco-friendly (Friendly with nature).

4. Reduces the costs towards fertilizers use, especially regarding nitrogen and phosphorus.

Bio fertilizers are available

1. For Nitrogen

Rhizobium for legume crops.

Azotobacter/Azospirillum for non legume crops.

Acetobacter for sugarcane only.

Blue Green Algae (BGA) and Azolla for low land paddy.

2. For Phosphorous

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Phosphatika for all crops to be applied with Rhizobium, Azotobacter,

Azospirillum and Acetobacter

3. For enriched compost

Cellulolytic fungal culture

Phosphotika and Azotobacter culture

Bio fertilizers are recommended for crops-

Rhizobium + Phosphotika at 200 gm each per 10 kg of seed as seed treatment are

recommended for pulses such as pigeonpea, green gram, black gram, cowpea etc,

groundnut and soybean.

Azotobacter + Phosphotika at 200 gm each per 10 kg of seed as seed treatment are useful

for wheat, sorghum, maize, cotton, mustard etc.

For transplanted rice, the recommendation is to dip the roots of seedlings for 8 to 10

hours in a solution of Azospirillum + Phosphotika at 5 kg each per ha.

Bio fertilizers are applied to crops for:

1. Seed treatment:

200 gm of nitrogenous bio fertilizer and 200 gm of Phosphotika are suspended in 300-400 ml of

water and mixed thoroughly. Ten kg seeds are treated with this paste and dried in shade. The

treated seeds have to be sown as soon as possible.

2. Seedling root dip:-

For rice crop, a bed is made in the field and filled with water. Recommended bio fertilizers are

mixed in this water and the roots of seedlings are dipped for 8-10 hrs.

3. Soil treatment:-

4 kg each of the recommended bio fertilizers are mixed in 200 kg of compost and kept

overnight. This mixture is incorporated in the soil at the time of sowing or planting

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One could get good response to bio fertilizer application:-

Bio fertilizer product must contain good effective strain in appropriate population and

should be free from contaminating microorganisms.

Select right combination of bio fertilizers and use before expiry date.

Use suggested method of application and apply at appropriate time as per the information

provided on the label.

For seed treatment adequate adhesive should be used for better results.

For problematic soils use corrective methods like lime or gypsum pelleting of seeds or

correction of soil pH by use of lime.

Ensure the supply of phosphorus and other nutrient

Probable reasons for not getting response from the application of bio

fertilizers:-

1. On account of quality of product

Use of ineffective strain.

Insufficient population of microorganisms.

High level of contaminants.

On account of inadequate storage facilities

May have been exposed to high temperature.

May have been stored in hostile conditions.

2. On account of usage

Not used by recommended method in appropriate doses.

Poor quality adhesive.

Used with strong doses of plant protection chemicals.

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3. On account of soil and environment

High soil temperature or low soil moisture.

Acidity or alkalinity in soil.

Poor availability of phosphorous and molybdenum.

Presence of high native population or presence of bacteriophages.

Precautions one should take for using bio fertilizers:-

Bio fertilizer packets need to be stored in cool and dry place away from direct sunlight

and heat. Right combinations of bio fertilizers have to be used.

As Rhizobium is crop specific, one should use for the specified crop only.

Other chemicals should not be mixed with the bio fertilizers.

While purchasing one should ensure that each packet is provided with necessary

information like name of the product, name of the crop for which intended, name and

address of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, date of expiry, batch number and

instructions for use.

The packet has to be used before its expiry, only for the specified crop and by the

recommended method of application.

Bio fertilizers are live product and require care in the storage

Both nitrogenous and phosphatic bio fertilizers are to be used to get the best results.

It is important to use bio fertilizers along with chemical fertilizers and organic manures.

Bio fertilizers are not replacement of fertilizers but can supplement plant nutrient

requirements.

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Soil health and Sus tainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture can be defined as any type of farming practice that helps protect the

environment by conserving water and energy and by limiting the use of synthetic pesticides and

fertilizers. Its practices stress on the long term conservation of resources and are designed to

balance the human need for food with concerns for the environment. Sustainable agriculture

integrates three main goals:-

Environmental health

Economic profitability

Social and economic equity

Sustainable agriculture means practicing farming in such a way as to retain it for futureuse and future generations. It is a safer and renewable means of agriculture which includes:-

Crop rotation

Integrated pest management

No tillage farming

Scientific method of farming

In fact it can be defined as a system of crop production with least inputs from outside without

disturbing the nature, biodiversity and the gene pool .this ensures sustainability of food supply to

man and other organisms essential for life on the planet.

First of all, why is there such an interest in sustainable agriculture? Eating food is necessary for

survival, and most people desire maintaining a secure supply of food. Current, the worlds

agricultural output exceeds the dietary needs of all humans on this planet. Widespread hunger in

parts of the world is mainly due to the failure of political and economic systems to distribute the

food. So if enough food is being currently produced in the world, what is all this concern about

sustainable agriculture? The major concern is that while we may be able to feed the world

today, future generations may not have adequate food production to satisfy their dietary needs

We know that some farming and land use techniques are not sustainable. Poor land use planning

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and unsustainable agricultural practices has lead to desertification and declining soil fertility in

that region. Farmers and environmentalist alike are interested in creating cropping systems that

have the potential to produce similar yields year after year with no decline in soil fertility status.

What is sustainable agriculture / Environmental science an introductory course book for

environmental science, gives three criteria for sustainable agriculture.

1. It must feed the worlds hungry today.

2. It must feed the worlds hungry tomorrow.

3. It must prevent deterioration of soil and water.

Creating a truly sustainable farming system is a very difficult task. Farmers must choose

individually for themselves what methods are best for their own situation. Farmers must worry

about maintaining soil fertility, stopping soil erosion, avoiding soil compaction, protecting their

crops from pets, using adequate amount of water, working with apolitical system making a

livable wage, and creating a product that is safe to eat.

In the present scenario the fastest of agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the

end of the world wart 2nd, food and fiber productivity soared due to new technologies,

mechanization increased chemical used, socialization and government policies that favored

maximizing production .These changes allowed favor farmers with reduced lab our demand to

produce the majority of food and fiber in the world. Although these changes have had many

positive effects and reduced many risk in farming, there have also been significant costs.

Prominent among these are:

Top soil depletion

Ground water contamination

Decline of family farms

Increasing Stalinization.

Desertification caused due to both Stalinization and water logging.

Continued neglect of the living and working conditions of farm laborers.

Increasing costs of production

The disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities etc.

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Modern agriculture is causing increasing amount of land to be decertified, through the need

to produce ever increasing quantities of food to feed the growing population. Ensuring food

security to cover a billion populations on sustainable basis is a gigantic task. Land available

for cultivation is slowly declining thus straining the available resources. It is important to

increase the food grain production efficient management of agro -inputs available with the

farmers.

Need for sustainable agriculture

We are certain that the conditions on planet Earth in present time are calling out for the

need of sustainable agriculture. A growing movement has emerged during the past two

decades to question the role of the agriculture establishment in promoting practices that

contribute to these social problems. Today this movement for sustainable agriculture gaining

increasing support and acceptance within main stream agriculture. Not only does sustainable

agriculture address many environmental and social concerns, but it offers innovative and

economically viable opportunities for growers, laborers, consumers, policy makers and

many others in the entire food system.

In spite of the massive benefits from the green revolution, considerable efforts should bemade towards this sustainability to face the increasing demand for agriculture products.

Critics charged that the green revolution resulted in environmental degradation and

increased income inequality, inequitable asset distribution and worsened absolute poverty.

In those areas , the proposed innovation have not been adopted by farmers, the services to

the farmers supplying the required inputs, financial and technical advice have not been

adequate and the markets have not been supportive to the expected development.

In areas, where the green revolution has been adopted, there is need for furtherintensification of production system and for a better mobilization of human and natural

resources. Extension methods applied for convincing farmers about the green revolution

have been mainly downstream and have proven their limits, while the corresponding costs

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are less and less acceptable to the governments. The progress of farmers organization has

not kept pace with the progress of the cropping techniques. Furthermore, the green

revolution has yet not reached the marginal lands bestowed with few resources and merge

infrastructure.

The socio- economic environment and the policies of rural development interfere with the

production of the farmers in the design of the production system. It has proved itself as a

profitable system on a maximum short term or medium term profit, consuming large

amounts of natural stocks of plant nutrients and organic material. In fact a sustainable

system should not extract from natural resources more than the natural supply of those

stock. Most traditionally sustainable systems can hardly face the rapid increase of

population and the corresponding demand for agriculture products. On the contrary a properand economically justified recycling of crop residues may provide a sustainable supply of

plant nutrients in the system.

The role of fertilizers amongst agro- inputs is critical to enhance productivity of crops.

Integration of various sources of nutrients and mitigating multi nutrients deficiency will lead

to increase in food grains production. Disseminating of agro technology from lab to land is

crucial to bring about change in agricultural production system.

Imparting education to the farmers and cooperative and the issues related to agriculture is a

continuous process. This however needs to be strengthened by identifying gaps and

providing solutions to their location specific problems. Therefore due importance should be

given towards the balanced use of fertilizers for maintaining soil health for sustainable

agriculture.

The following are the goals of sustainable agriculture:-

To check the degradation in soil health and maintain the nutrient level.

To maintain the ecological balance of agriculture.

Optimum use of fertilizers and soil resources or soil resources management.

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To check denudation of forests.

To conserve the biodiversity.

Eco friendly management of agro technology.

To stop or minimize use of toxic agro chemicals and check environmental pollution.

Adopting proper technology for agro based management for recycling the nutrients.

Minimize the use of water by adopting water conservation technology.

Bio fertilizer in sustainable agriculture

Bio fertilizers are the nutrient availability systems in which biological processes are involved.

These biological systems are the essential part of life of several microbes found in soils and

provide nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and several beneficial compounds for crop. Presence

of these microbes makes soil alive and capable for sustainable support to the life of crop.

Sustainable agriculture relies greatly on renewable resources like biologically fixed nitrogen.

Biological nitrogen fixation plays an important role in maintaining soil fertility. However ,as

BNF is dependent upon physical, environmental, nutritional and biological factors, mere

inclusion of any N2 fixing plant system does not guarantee increased contribution to the soil N

pool. In the SAT where plant Stover is also removed to feed animals, most legumes might be

expected to deplete soil N. Yet beneficial legume effects in terms of increased yields in

succeeding cereal crops have been reported. Such benefits are partly due to contribution fromlegumes through BNF and soil N saving effect. In addition, other non-N rotational benefits, for

example, improved nutrient availability, improved soil structure, reduced pests and disease

hormonal effects are also responsible.

Organic farming

Organic farming is a form ofagriculture that relies on ecosystem management and attempts to

reduce or eliminate external agricultural inputs, especially synthetic ones. It is a holistic

production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including

biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.

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In preference to the use of off-farm inputs, organic farming emphasizes management practices,

taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. Utilizing both

traditional and scientific knowledge, organic agricultural systems rely on agronomic, biological,

and mechanical methods (these may require external inputs of nonrenewable resources, like

tractor fuel), as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the

system. Organic farming is also associated with support for principles beyond cultural practices,

such as fair trade and environmental stewardship, although this does not apply to all organic

farms and farmers.

Bio fertilizer and organic farming

Increasing population levels on a near stabilized agricultural land places a heavy burden on the

soil sourceparticularly its nutrient supplying power. Chemical fertilizers have come to

increase the output of agricultural product and to meet ever increasing demand of human

population. The problem is further compounded in several areas due to excessive use of

chemical fertilizers which resulted into considerable deterioration in the quality of indigenous

soil.

Intensive agriculture with the use of chemical fertilizers in large amount has, no doubt, result,

resulted in manifold increase in the productivity of farm commodities but the adverse effect of

these chemicals are clearly visible on soil structure, micro flora, quality of water, food and

fodder. Organic farming has emerged as the only answer to bring sustainability to agriculture

and environment.

Organic farming is a farming integration of biological, cultural and natural inputs including

integrated diseases and pest management practices. Integrated plant nutrition can be best if it is

practiced on scientific facts, local conditions and microeconomics. We hope this publication will

create a balanced, objective and science based appreciation for meeting the nutrient needs of

agriculture.

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CHAPTER.4

Research methodology

Selection of the problem

With the introduction of green revolution technologies the modern agriculture is getting more

and more dependent upon the steady supply of synthetic inputs (mainly fertilizers), which are

products of fossil fuel (coal+ petroleum).The farmers are using excessive of chemical fertilizers

and reducing the use of bio fertilizers in crop production. This situation has lead to identifying

harmless inputs like bio fertilizers. Use of such natural products like bio fertilizers in crop

cultivation will help in safeguarding the soil health and also the quality of crop products. The

areas where the study has been done, the major crops are wheat, rice, pulses, corn and

specifically fruit belt area of mango. Last year due to excessive and imbalanced use of chemical

fertilizers the demands of mangoes had been decreased. The farmers are not getting good

response from their crop yield. They are unaware of healthy techniques for farming as soil

testing and use of bio fertilizers. As per the many studies it is also seen that excessive use of

fertilizers is making the soil unproductive. Bio fertilizers play a major role in sustainable

agriculture. So what are the reasons behind the decreasing use of bio fertilizers and awareness

level of farmer about bio fertilizers is selected as a problem.

Objective

To know the decreasing tendency of bio fertilizer and becoming more and more

dependent on chemical fertilizers.

To know the trends of farming and their major crop yield.

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To check the awareness level of farmers about the soil testing and its practice in the field.

To know the problems of the farmers in using the bio fertilizers and their awareness level

about bio fertilizers.

To know the factors behind excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

Scope area

The village Adaura, Kaithuliya, Bhatuiya, bakinager and katra has been selected on the basis of

these criterias-

Easy accessibility of these villages.

Majority of the peoples occupation is farming.

Wheat, rice, pulse, corn are the major crops and many of farmers are indulged in horticulture as

the area is a fruit belt of mango.

Data collection

For the collection of the primary data an interview schedule was made containing 16 questions

which are covering the information about the respective topic role of bio fertilizer in sustainableagriculture.

Sampling

The sample size of fifty farmers was taken and data was collected from the universe of the

villages Adaura, Kaithuliya, Bhatuiya, bakinager and katra. The sample was collected through

purposive sampling. This sampling method is used because the subject is very tricky and some

of the farmers were illiterate and only some farmers were able to give answers.

Data type

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To gain the information about the topic I have collected both primary data and secondary data.

The secondary data was collected from the booklets, handouts and literature provided by

INDIAN FARMERS FERTILIIZER COOPERATIVE and related website. The primary data

was collected through interview schedule & responses of the farmers.

Processing of the data

After the collection of the data through schedule, the collected responses were examined and the

required correction has been done.

Tabulation

After the processing of the data all the data is tabulated for the correct analysis of the data. All

the responses got from the respondents are shown in the tables.

Analysis of data

Analysis will be done on the basis of available data which have been collected through field.

Analysis is having prime importance to find trends of the study and also to conclude major

points of the study. As per the study done in Kerala, summer rice fallow is a potential area for

cultivation of short duration pulses and oil seeds, even though the crop may face soil moisture

stress during the early growth stage. In intensive cropping systems, supplementing soil nutrientsby the use of chemical fertilizer is considered inevitable for obtaining optimum yield of crops

and in the same way the result got from this survey also shows that Continuous use of chemical

fertilizers may affect soil health and may lead to a negative impact on soil productivity. Hence,

for sustainable agriculture, all our efforts should be streamlined to protect and maintain soil

health. In this context, now-a-days bio fertilizers are gaining importance in agriculture.

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Chapter.4

Analysis of data

n

Trend as shown in the above table defines that most of the farmers prefer to produce wheat and

Paddy in comparison to another crop, pulse and mustard is also produced by the farmers of these

villages as last year twenty six percent and this year twenty four percent of the farmers have

produced this crops. It is due to the demand of the local market and main food of that region and

it is also due to the lack of awareness about new technologies, new trends of farming andtechniques among farmers. There is a lack of proper facilities for farming.

Crop yield satisfaction

The above table shows that eighty percent of the farmers were not satisfied with their last year

crop yield. Only ten percent of them were saying yes. As it is shown in another table that forty

two percent farmers who are using both fertilizer in their field they are getting satisfactory yield

but those who are using only chemical fertilizer are not satisfied with their crop yield.

Above table shows that the fifty percent farmers are using canal as their irrigation source. As

canal is the most important source of irrigation so they are much dependent on it. But sometimes

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they are not able to use the canal; they irrigate their fields through tube well as thirty eighty

percent farmers are using it as their main source of irrigation.

Above table defines that sixty four percent of the farmers do not know what is soil testing as it is

due to the lack of proper awareness about healthy farming practices. They do not know the

importance of the soil testing.

As per the above table all of the farmers said that they did not done soil testing of their fields asshown in table number three also that thirty eight percent farmers were only aware of soil testing

and who they know about this they were not able to access the KISAN MITRA appointed for

this job.

As per the above table all the farmers know very well about chemical fertilizers and its usage.

As the use of chemical fertilizers has increased so much and farming without chemical fertilizers

became beyond imagination.All the farmers are using frequently to increase their productivity.

As per the above table shown different respondents have different views about the increased use

of bio fertilizers and twenty six percent of the farmers said sixty percent use of fertilizers has

increased in preceding five years. As they were agreed that they cannot imagine a good crop

yield without using fertilizers. The soils productivity is depleting day by day.

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Above table shows that all of the farmers are much aware about bio fertilizers and its

advantages. As before the introduction of chemical fertilizers they were dependent on bio

fertilizers and they used to use the traditional bio fertilizers in their field.

As per the above table shown fifty eight percent farmers said that they are using chemical

fertilizer and this is due to the availability of chemical fertilizers rather than bio fertilizer .the

farmers who have used bio fertilizers they are getting satisfactory produce as it is shown in the

second table.

In above table it is shown that fifty six percent of the farmers are not using any kind of bio

fertilizer in their field and forty two percent of the farmers are using only compost as bio

fertilizer. The farmers do not know about various bio fertilizers are in the trend to enhance the

productivity of soil and crop yield. They are limited to only some fertilizers.

As per the above table all the farmers were agree with the different benefits of bio fertilizers as it

increases the soil fertility and production. Bio fertilizers are more effective than chemical

fertilizers.

As per the above table fifty four percent of the respondents said that chemical fertilizers are

affordable and easily available. As forty six percent of the farmers are not keeping cattle so they

are not able to make compost and in comparison to bio fertilizer chemical fertilizers are easy to

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use for them. The compost which is available to the farmers is not sufficient for the entire field

so in this situation they have to prefer chemical fertilizer.

As per the above table all the farmers are agree with that fertilizers increase the soil fertility and

its production capacity. They cant ignore its value for the good production in present day

scenario as the soil health is decreasing day by day.

As per the above table all the farmers despite of using chemical fertilizers were agree that bio

fertilizers are more effective and healthy for the crop rather than chemical fertilizers. Due to the

unavailabity of bio fertilizers they are compelled to use chemical fertilizers.

Above table shows that all the respondent were agree with that chemical fertilizers cannot take

place of bio fertilizers as it has its own side effects.

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Chapter no.5

Findings

Based on discussions with farmers, fertilizer sellers and interview schedule results, the following

finding have emerged.

It is found that majority of the farmers are producing wheat, Paddy, pulse, mustard and

some other seasonal crops. This could be attributed to several factors like demand of

these grains in their area market and main food of that region and also the lack of

knowledge about new and profitable farming practices.

Farmers satisfaction regarding crop yield was not at good level. This may be due to the

irrigation problem, excessive use of chemical fertilizers. As it is also found that the

farmers using both the fertilizers were much satisfied with their crop yield.

It is found that farmers are not aware of the soil testing techniques and they did not ever

applied in their field. There is a lack of awareness about the advantages of soil testing

and unavailability of the KISAN MITRA in their respective villages.

Awareness level about bio fertilizers and chemical fertilizers is good among the farmers.

They are using fertilizers to increase the crop yield and good growth of the plants and

chemical fertilizer are easily available, affordable and easy to use, comparatively bio

fertilizers are good for the yield but it (compost) is not available, as the farmers who

have their cattle only they can use compost but it is not sufficient for the entire field so

they have to use chemical fertilizers. Few farmers are using both the fertilizers. Farmers

do not know the bio fertilizers as Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria, Azotobactar and vermi

compost. They know only about traditionally made compost.

The study also reveals that farmers were fully agreed that bio fertilizer is better than

chemical fertilizer as Bio fertilizers increase the crop yield and it stimulates plant

growth, increases natural soil fertility and protects the crop from pest. All the farmers

were agreeing to the point that bio fertilizers increases the soil fertility and chemical

fertilizers cannot take place of it.

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Chapter .6

Conclusion -

Considering the findings of the study, these conclusions are drawn.

Bio fertilizers are extremely beneficial in enriching the soil with those micro-organisms, which

produce organic nutrients for the soil and help combat diseases. According to the responses of

the respondent farmers using of compost for once can give a good yield for three-four times in

comparison to chemical fertilizers which are usable for one time yield crop and for another

harvest we have to use the chemical fertilizer again. There is no side effect of bio fertilizers. It

can be used for any harvest. Besides this due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers not only

decreases the soil fertility but also adversely affects these biological systems, visible in the

decreasing trend of production even after using higher doses of fertilizers. Besides, the use of

chemical fertilizers is causing several environmental problems.

As per the findings of the study shows that farmers are much aware of benefits of bio fertilizers

but due to lack of awareness about various bio fertilizers , they are not availing the benefits and

compelled to use only one type of bio fertilizer that is compost which is also not available to all

farmers. The demand is much higher than the availability. It is estimated that by 2020, to

achieve the targeted production of 321 million tons of food grain, the requirement of nutrient

will be 28.8 million tons, while their availability will be only 21.6 million tones being a deficit

of about 7.2 million tones and Increasing costs are getting unaffordable by small and marginal

farmers.

The important factor which has been observed during the study is that all the respondents were

very much disappointed towards their crop yield; also they were not satisfied with their work.

The farmers are using traditional techniques in farming and suffering from poor infrastructure

and irrigation problem. They are not aware of new farming techniques and many government

plans which are only made for their welfare. Many of the agriculture departments are running

welfare schemes for the farmers but due to the lack of awareness the farmers are not availing it.

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Recommendations

After reaching to the conclusion these are some recommendations for INDIAN FARMER

FERTILIZERS COOPERATIVE.

1. Farmers are not aware of variety of bio fertilizers so Cooperative should promote the bio

fertilizer at best so that the farmers become aware of these products and can avail the bio

fertilizers of the cooperative.

2. There is a lack of proper irrigation facilities and infrastructure in those villages so the

officials should pay attention towards the village agriculture development.

3. It is found that farmers are not aware of soil testing and they did not done it ever in their

field. The KISAN MITRA who has responsibility to perform this job should be given

proper training. A laboratory should be set up at the village level to make it easy for the

farmers.

4. Farmers are using the chemical fertilizers in imbalanced way and loosing the soil fertility

the important thing to be noticed is that the farmers know very well the advantages of bio

fertilizers and gave so many statements in favor of bio fertilizers .So there is need topromote bio fertilizers at the village level the bio fertilizers should be distributed at

affordable cost.

5. At the awareness level about bio fertilizers, the farmers have knowledge about traditional

bio fertilizers as compost. They do not have knowledge about various kind of bio

fertilizers as Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria , Azotobactar, vermi compost etc. The

cooperative should promote these bio fertilizers and it is surprising that stock of bio

fertilizers are getting expired in the store room of cooperative but the distribution is not

being done.

6. The farmers should be given training to enhance the awareness level. These training

programmes and workshops will make the farmers aware of the various updates in the

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agriculture sector and new techniques of farming. thus their work will become more

productive and profitable.

Chapter .7

REFFERENCES

1. www.iffco.nic (Introduction of the cooperative.)

2. soilhealthknowledge.com. (soil testing.)

3. agri.and.nic.in (glimpse of agriculture)

4. Arun K. Sharma ,Bio fertilizers in sustainable agriculture, Agro bios (India)

5. Sustainable

agriculture indigenous practice for natural resource management. Dr. R. Arunachalam &

Dr. R. Netaji Seetharaman

6. IFFCO Seller handbook

7. Bio fertilizer.com

8. FAO IFFCO. A Guide to FieldImplementation of Integrated Plant

Nutrition System. FAO IFFCO, New

Delhi, 106 + xiii (1997).S

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Annexure.1Schedule based on role of Bio-fertilizer

Name of the farmer..AgeSex.

Number of the family members .Name of the village.Name of the districtHolding (acre/ha) of the field

1-Last season which crop did you produce.

2-Which crop are you producing this season

3-Did you get satisfactory yield last year?

(a) Yes (b) No

4- What is the irrigation source?

(a)Canal (b) tube well (c) Pond (d) well

5-Do you know what is soil testing?

(a)Yes (b) No

6- Have you done soil testing of your field?

(a) Yes (b) No

7-Do you know about the chemical fertilizers?

(a) Yes (b) No

If you use it. For which purpose

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8- In last five years how much percentage usage of fertilizers haveincreased

9-Do you know about Bio fertilizers?

(a) Yes (b) No

10-Which fertilizer do you use in producing crop?

(a) Chemical fertilizer (b) Bio-fertilizer.(c) Both

11-If you are using Bio fertilizer. Which type of Bio-fertilizer do youuse?

(a) Rhizobium (b) Phosphobacteria (c) Azotobactar (d)compost (e) vermi compost (f) other traditional fertilizers.(g)none of them.

12-What are the benefits of bio-fertilizers do youthink.................................

13-Which fertilizer is affordable for good yield?

(a) Bio-fertilizer (b) Chemical fertilizer.

14-Do you agree fertilizers increase the soil fertility?

(a)Yes (b) No

15-Do you think Bio-fertilizers increase the soil fertility more thanchemical fertilizers.?

(a)Yes (b) No

16- Can chemical fertilizers take place of bio-fertilizers?

(a)Yes (b) No

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iffco mission

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