Hyderabad: With farmers suffering heavily due to increased use of
chemical fertilisers, scientists in Andhra Pradesh State have suggestedpromotion of bio-fertilisers using bacterial culture to boost farm production
and prevent decline of soil health.
Farmers in the State have the dubious distinction of using the largest quantity
of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the country. More than half of the
farm inputs consumed in the country goes into agricultural fields in Andhra
Pradesh. Lakhs of acres of prime agricultural land has turned either saline or
alkaline thanks to indiscriminate application of complex fertilisers and
pesticides.
Scientists have now come out with well thought out plan to wean
away farmers from harmful fertilisers by encouraging them to go in for bio-
fertilisers developed from bacterial culture. The State government earlier came out
with specific guidelines for manufacturers and traders on the quality of bio-fertilisers to
prevent spurious culture.
The bacteria proposed for bio-fertiliser development include Rhizobium
inoculants, Azotobacter chroococcum inoculants, Azospirillum inocculants
and phosphate solubilising bacterial inoculant.
Registration of manufacturers is mandatory to maintain quality of bio-fertilisers
supplied in the State market. Adulteration of bio-fertilisers also invites penal
action including a prison term extending up to one year or and fine of Rs 50,000.
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