There is no proposal to make use of bio-fertilizers compulsory along-with the urea. However, use of bio-fertilizer is recommended under Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) strategies and organic farming for use in all crops.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Bio-fertilizers are live microbial products which does not contain any nutrients. The micro-organisms present in the bio-fertilizer ensure availability of nutrients from non-available form present within soil and air to available form which plants can uptake.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under All India Network Project (AINP) on Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers, said Minister in his written reply.