Annual Report 2009-2010 - Department of Agriculture & Co-operation

elating to fertilizer quality control. CFQC&TI and
RFCLs analysed 11,667 samples against the
target of 8,500 samples during 2008-09 (an
achievement of 137 per cent over the target),
out of which 338 samples were found to be nonstandard.
During 2009-10, 8,893 samples were
analysed against the annual target of 8,500
samples up to December 2009.
6.11 During 2008-09, 16 Refresher Training
Programmes for Fertilizer Inspectors, Analysts,
Notified Authorities, Laboratory Incharges, were
organised by the CFQC&TI/RFCLs. In addition,
30 orientation courses for State Enforcement
Officers and 32 Dealers' Training Programmes
were organised in the states. An exclusive
training programme for foreign participants was
organised at the CFQC&TI, in which 14 officers
from different countries participated.
6.12 Intensive cropping without replenishment
of nutrients, other than NPK, results in a
deficiency of micronutrients. The deficiency of
secondary nutrients, namely, sulphur,
magnesium, and calcium, and of micro-nutrients
such as zinc, boron, iron, and manganese, has
been reported in many parts of the country. In
order to encourage the manufacture and use of
fortified fertilizers, the procedure for the inclusion
of new products in the FCO has been simplified.
6.13 To encourage the balanced use of
fertilizers, the concept of customised fertilizers
has been introduced under clause 20 B in the
FCO,1985. These fertilizers are soil and cropspecific
and contain secondary and micronutrients,
besides NPK. A total of 14 grades of
customised fertilizers have been notified.
6.14 In order to encourage the use of organic
and bio-fertilizers, the specifications of organic
fertilizers, namely, city waste compost and vermicompost
and of bio-fertilizers, namely,
Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and
Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria have been
revised under the FCO.
6.15 National Project on Organic Farming
(NPOF): This scheme was initiated as a pilot
project in October 2004 for the production,
promotion, certification, and market
development of organic farming in India. The
project was introduced by subsuming the
existing infrastructure of the National Biofertiliser
Development Centre, and its regional centres,
located at Hissar, Jabalpur, Bangalore, Nagpur,
Bhubaneshwar, and Imphal.
6.16 Organic farming has recorded an
impressive growth during the previous five years
due to the farmers' movement, efforts by NGOs,
Central and state government interventions, and
market forces. The area under the organic
certification process increased to 12.07 lakh
hectares.
Integrated Nutrient Management
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