Why in News
  • The Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has recommended a mandatory 10% blending of fermented organic manure (FOM) with chemical fertilizers by 2030.
  • The proposal aims to:
    • Improve soil health
    • Reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers
    • Save nearly $2 billion annually in fertilizer imports
  • The recommendation was presented through a white paper titled:
    • “FOM feeds soil; soil feeds sustainability”
  • The white paper was released by:
    • Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

ABOUT THE PROPOSAL

Core Recommendation
  • The IBA has proposed:
    • 10% mandatory blending of FOM with chemical fertilizers by 2030
  • It also calls for integrating FOM into:
    • Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) framework
    • Soil Health Card Scheme
    • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

OBJECTIVE

  • To restore declining soil health in India
  • To promote sustainable and regenerative agriculture
  • To reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers
  • To create a circular economy linking energy and agriculture

KEY FEATURES OF THE PROPOSAL

Blending Mandate
  • A 10% blending requirement of FOM with chemical fertilizers is proposed by 2030.
  • It is expected to:
    • Improve soil fertility
    • Enhance crop productivity
    • Reduce fertilizer import dependence
Soil Health Improvement
  • India’s soil organic carbon level is around 0.4%, which is critically low.
  • Low soil organic carbon leads to:
    • Poor soil fertility
    • Reduced water retention
    • Lower agricultural productivity

INTEGRATION WITH GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

  • The proposal recommends inclusion of FOM in:
    • Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) system
    • Soil Health Card Scheme
    • PKVY (organic farming programme)

POLICY INNOVATION

  • The inclusion of organic carbon as a nutrient parameter under subsidies is proposed.
  • This would ensure:
    • Balanced fertilization
    • Fair subsidy distribution for organic inputs
    • Reduced overuse of chemical fertilizers

CIRCULAR ECONOMY MODEL

  • The proposal promotes a system linking:
    • Biogas production
    • Compressed Biogas (CBG)
    • Fermented organic manure (FOM)
  • It aims to ensure:
    • 100% utilisation of biogas by-products
    • Development of a sustainable agri-energy ecosystem

EXPECTED BENEFITS

Economic Benefits
  • Potential savings of:
    • $2 billion annually in fertilizer imports
  • Reduced dependency on:
    • Imported chemical fertilizers
Agricultural Benefits
  • Improved:
    • ? Soil fertility
    • Crop productivity
    • Water retention capacity
Environmental Benefits
  • Reduction in:
    • Chemical fertilizer overuse
  • Promotion of:
    • Regenerative agriculture
    • Sustainable farming practices
Systemic Benefits
  • Strengthening of:
    • Fertilizer distribution systems
    • Public sector participation in organic inputs
  • Creation of:
    • Region-specific nutrient solutions

OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE

Soil Health
  • Addresses India’s challenge of declining soil organic carbon
  • Promotes long-term soil regeneration
Sustainability
  • Supports transition towards:
    • Climate-resilient agriculture
    • Sustainable input usage
Policy Importance
  • Encourages integration of:
    • Energy sector (biogas)
    • Agriculture sector
  • Promotes policy convergence for green economy