New Delhi: The Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has proposed a phased plan to make 10% blending of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) with chemical fertilisers mandatory by 2030, aiming to improve soil health and support sustainable agriculture in India.
The proposal was presented in a white paper titled “FOM Feeds Soil, Soil Feeds Sustainability” during the BBB Summit 2026. The white paper was released by Santosh Kumar Sarangi.
According to the white paper, India’s Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels are currently around 0.4%, which affects soil fertility, water retention capacity, and overall crop productivity.
Focus on Soil Health and Sustainable Farming
To address this, IBA has recommended a gradual increase in FOM blending with fertilisers:
- 2026–27: 1% mandatory blending
- 2027–28: 3% mandatory blending
- 2028–29: 5% mandatory blending
- 2029–30: 10% mandatory blending
The association believes this approach can help reduce excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers while encouraging balanced nutrient management practices.
Integration with Government Schemes
The white paper also recommends integrating FOM into existing agricultural schemes, such as:
- Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) framework
- Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
IBA suggested that including organic carbon as a nutrient parameter under the NBS framework could support balanced fertilisation and create a fair subsidy mechanism for organic manure products.
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SuBiCulP Programme Proposed
To strengthen implementation, IBA proposed a national programme called SuBiCulP (Sustainable Biogas-Organic Fertilizer Based Cultivation Programme) under the vision of “SuBiCulP se Samriddhi.”
The proposed programme aims to:
- Increase utilisation of FOM produced from biogas and CBG plants
- Develop district-level supply chains
- Strengthen market linkages for organic manure distribution
- Promote region-specific nutrient management practices
Need for Research and Farmer Awareness
IBA also highlighted the importance of research support from institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and State Agricultural Universities for developing region-specific application methods and improving FOM formulations.
The paper further stressed the need for:
- Multilingual farmer awareness programmes
- Standardised quality certification
- Better local testing infrastructure
Importance of Better Agricultural Networks
As discussions around sustainable farming and alternative fertilisers continue to grow, efficient coordination across the agricultural ecosystem becomes increasingly important. Platforms like KisanSabha help connect farmers with dealers, suppliers, transporters, and other stakeholders, supporting smoother communication and market linkages within the farming sector.
Such connectivity can play an important role as farmers explore evolving agricultural practices and input systems in the coming years.
