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

 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 me
reliable 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 as bio 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 32-34
Chapter 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 IFFCO’s
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 1974–75 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 2–10 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 channelising
its 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, IFFCO’s 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 IFFCO’s
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 farmer’s 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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IARI–IFFCO organised a demonstration programme on farmer’s 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
2000–01 and continued for 5 crop seasons till Rabi 2002–03 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 farmer’s 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 ‘IFFCO’s agro-portal’. At present, sixteen states have been
covered with information of relevance to farmers in local languages and can
be accessed through IFFCO’s 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
farmer’s 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 people’s 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 of rapat/ 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 about
50 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.

India’s 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 India’s 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-friendly
sustainable 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 India’s agro-ecological setting, high bio-diversity and relatively low cost of
labour 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

20
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. It protects the roots from other pathogens present in the soil

22
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.)

23
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 soil’s 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

24
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

25
 ○ 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

26
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.

27
 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 Sustainable 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 future
use 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 world’s
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

29
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.

30
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 be
made 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 further
intensification 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

31
 are less and less acceptable to the governments. The progress of farmer’s 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 proper
and 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.
32
 ➢ 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 from
legumes 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 of agriculture 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.

33
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 source—particularly 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.

34
 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.

35
 • 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 people’s 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 sustainable
agriculture’.

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

36
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 nutrients
by 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.

37
Chapter.4

Analysis of data

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 and
techniques 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
38
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 as
shown 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 soil’s productivity is depleting day by day.

39
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

40
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 can’t 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.

41
 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.
• Farmer’s 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.

42
 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.

43
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 to
promote 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

44
 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 Field
Implementation of Integrated Plant
Nutrition System. FAO – IFFCO, New
Delhi, 106 + xiii (1997).S

45
 Annexure.1
Schedule based on role of Bio-fertilizer
Name of the farmer…………..
Age……
Sex………….
Number of the family members …….
Name of the village……….
Name of the district………………
Holding (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 have
increased…………………………

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 you
use?

(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 you

think.................................

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 than
chemical fertilizers.?

(a)Yes (b) No

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

(a)Yes (b) No

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