India to check on sale of bio-fertilizers

The agriculture department has decided to keep a tab on the sale of unauthorized bio-fertilizers in the district. The principal agriculture officer G Sudharshanan said that production and purchase of microbial and organic fertilizers will also be monitored.

The move comes in wake of increasing sales of unauthorized bio-fertilizers by traders without proper license with an aim to tap the rise in demand for it by small-scale farmers who maintain kitchen gardens.

The law states that fertilizer manufacturers should get proper authentication from the competent authority before distributing their product in the market. The department has decided to issue notices to traders who are selling unauthorized fertilizers.

Sudharshanan said that the gullible buyers purchase products that have not undergone any quality control process. He urged the farmers not to use fertilizers which are not licensed by a competent authority. Various bio/organic products that ensure plant growth, anti-viral treatment, and elimination of pests and insects are available in the market, said the official. However, majority of them are being sold without obtaining license from the state-level committee of agriculture experts.

All fertilizers that do not fall under Fertilizer (Control) Order come under the Essential Commodities Act and it should get license from the state committee.

Many of the products including vermi compost, neem cake and microbial solutions appear in the market without registration. Experts say bio-fertilizers sold without authorization may even contain chemical elements that may harm the plants. Absence of required quantity of microbes may also have negative impact on the productivity of crops, agriculture officials said.