During the ongoing sugar season, data from the sugar commissioner’s office reveal that 202 mills are actively crushing sugarcane, having processed a total of 441.01 lakh tonnes (lt) of sugarcane. The cumulative gross payable Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) set by these mills stands at ₹13,642 crore.
Impressively, the mills have disbursed ₹13,056 crore, covering 96 per cent of the total payable FRP, with arrears currently amounting to ₹586 crore.
fresh sugarcane in garden.
A breakdown of mill performances indicates that 85 sugar mills have fulfilled 100 per cent of the FRP obligations, while 50 mills have paid between 60 and 80 per cent of the total FRP. However, 117 factories still have payments pending this season. This has sparked demands from farmers’ organisations for prompt and complete payment of FRP by mills yet to meet their obligations.
Farmers’ fears
Amidst the peak of the sugar season, certain mills, particularly those near the Karnataka border, have urged farmers not to transport sugarcane across the State due to perceived scarcity. Meanwhile, sugarcane farmers in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions are facing concerns as delayed sugarcane lifting and dwindling water reservoirs raise fears of a direct impact on crop yield.
BB Thombare, President of the West Indian Sugar Mills Association, said mills need not fret aboutsugarcane shortage. He attributed an unexpected increase of 8-10 per cent in sugarcane crop to the recent rainfall in the State. Thombare said the boost in yield will positively influence the overall sugar production in the State.
As the world grapples with feeding a rapidly growing population amidst mounting environmental challenges, finding sustainable ways to enhance crop productivity becomes increasingly important. One promising approach involves utilizing natural fertilizers, which not only improve soil fertility and plant health but also minimize harmful impacts associated with synthetic chemical inputs. This article offers an extensive exploration of various natural fertilizer options available, their application methods, and best practices for integrating them into farming systems aiming to increase crop yields while prioritizing ecological stewardship and economic viability.
Understanding Natural Fertilizers
Natural fertilizers originate from organic matter sources such as plant residues, animal manures, compost, bone meal, rock phosphate, seaweed, and green manure cropping systems. Unlike synthetic fertilizers that deliver quick fixes through concentrated doses of essential nutrients, natural fertilizers release nutrients gradually over time, thereby encouraging sustained plant growth and reducing leaching losses. Furthermore, they foster microbial activity, enhance soil structure, promote water retention capabilities, suppress diseases, and support beneficial insect populations, all contributing to healthier soils capable of sustaining robust crop productions.
Popular Types of Natural Fertilizers
1. Manure: Livestock excreta serve as valuable nutrient providers, containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients depending on feedstock composition. Common examples include chicken, cow, horse, pig, and sheep manure, each varying in concentration and availability of macronutrients. Proper handling, curing, and composting ensure optimal decomposition rates, reduce pathogen loads, and prevent unpleasant odors.
2. Compost: Derived from decomposing organic material, compost constitutes a rich source of humus, NPK, trace elements, and beneficial microorganisms. Suitable raw ingredients range from yard trimmings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, leaves, sawdust, straw, hay, grass clippings, paper, cardboard, wood chips, and barnyard litter. When prepared correctly, compost improves tilth, moisture retention, aeration, and drainage properties of soils while providing slow-release nutrients benefiting long-term crop growth.
3. Green Manure Crops: Cover crops planted specifically to replenish soil nutrients upon termination act as another form of natural fertilization strategy. Leguminous species like clover, vetch, beans, lupines, and peas possess symbiotic Rhizobia bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, thus increasing available N pools following incorporation back into the soil profile. Moreover, green manure cover crops help control weeds, break disease cycles, reduce erosion, conserve moisture, and attract pollinators.
4. Bone Meal: Processed from animal bones, bloodmeal, feathers, or hooves, bone meal delivers substantial amounts of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Its granulated texture ensures even distribution across fields, allowing efficient uptake by plants seeking adequate nourishment required during early stages of growth.
. Rock Phosphate: Obtained from sedimentary rocks, rock phosphate contains insoluble apatite crystals slowly converted into soluble orthophosphates accessible for root absorption once applied to acidic soils below pH 6.0. Over extended periods, rock phosphate supplementation leads to gradual accumulation of stored phosphorus reserves, bolstering long-term crop vitality.
6. Seaweed: Rich in auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, betaines, polyphenols, vitamins, and macro-and micronutrients, seaweed extracts stimulate plant hormonal responses, boost photosynthesis, strengthen cell walls, enhance stress tolerance, and facilitate disease resistance. Liquid kelp preparations sprayed onto foliage or incorporated into irrigation water serve as convenient delivery mechanisms maximizing nutrient bioavailability.
Best Practices for Utilizing Natural Fertilizers
To optimize crop yield increases using natural fertilizers, farmers should follow several recommendations aimed at improving efficiencies, minimizing risks, and enhancing overall effectiveness:
1. Soil Testing: Before applying any type of natural fertilizer, conduct thorough analyses assessing baseline nutrient concentrations, pH levels, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter percentages, cation exchange capacities (CEC), and other pertinent parameters guiding appropriate rate calculations tailored to specific crop requirements and field conditions.
2. Timing and Placement: Strategically schedule applications according to crop demand curves, targeting critical junctures coinciding with active growth phases, peak nutrient uptake rates, and favorable weather forecasts. Consider localized placement strategies positioning nutrients closer to roots, such as banding, side dressing, broadcasting, or incorporating into furrows, beds, or rows.
3. Integration with Other Management Techniques: Combining natural fertilizers alongside complementary approaches further amplifies synergistic interactions driving greater returns on investment. Examples include conservation tillage, precision agriculture, companion planting, intercropping, polycultures, permaculture, and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies designed to harness ecological relationships stabilizing agroecosystem functioning.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly track progress evaluating treatment outcomes vis-à-vis expected results using quantitative metrics benchmarked against historical data, peer comparisons, regional averages, and industry norms. Adjust accordingly based on emerging trends, lessons learned, and evolving contextual realities shaping future trajectories.
Conclusion
Transitioning towards natural fertilizers presents myriad opportunities for raising crop yields sustainably while simultaneously addressing pressing environmental concerns surrounding conventional input usage. Farmers embracing this paradigm shift stand to benefit from improved soil health, enhanced nutrient cycling dynamics, reduced reliance on off-farm purchases, and diversified revenue streams rooted in closed-loop circular economy principles aligning with broader socioeconomic development objectives. Ultimately, widespread adoption of natural fertilization strategies holds immense promise for transforming agricultural landscapes worldwide, heralding a new era characterized by resiliency, adaptability, equity, prosperity, and ecological harmony.
The country’s masur (lentil) production is estimated to touch an all-time high of 1.6 million tonnes in the 2023-24 rabi season on higher acreage, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh. Masur production stood at 1.55 million tonnes in the 2022-23 rabi season, as per the official data.
Despite being the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, India imports certain pulses, including masur and tur, to meet domestic shortages.
“This year, masur production is going to be at an all-time high. Our masur production will be the highest in the world. The acreage has increased. The dynamic is changing,” Singh said at an event organised by the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) on Friday.
In the ongoing rabi season, more area has been brought under the masur crop. The total masur acreage has increased to 1.94 million hectare as of January 12 in the ongoing rabi season, when compared to 1.83 million hectare in the year-ago period, according to the agriculture ministry data.
On the sidelines of the event, the Secretary said masur production is estimated at 1.6 million tonnes for the current rabi season.
He also mentioned that the country produces on an average 26-27 million tonnes of pulses annually. In chana and moong, the country is self-sufficient but in other pulses like tur and masur, it still imports to meet the shortages.
“While we pitch for self-reliance in pulses, we cannot ignore that for some time to come, we probably need to keep (pulses) imports running,” he said.
While the government is incentivising farmers to grow more pulses, one needs to keep in mind the limited area under cultivation, he added.
Sharing how difficult it is to balance the farmers’ and consumers’ interests, the Secretary said, “I think we are doing ok in the last couple of years. Despite weather disturbances, we have managed to keep the prices of pulses reasonably under control”.
The overall budgetary allocation for the agriculture ministry was increased to an estimated Rs 1.25 lakh crore for FY24 financial year, including Rs 60,000 crore for the government’s ambitious PM-KISAN scheme.
Technological Push: Budget 2023 was largely along the lines expected by industry players. The emphasis on technology adoption in agriculture was announced at the right time, with the creation of Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.
Agri Credit: The proposed increase in the agricultural credit target to Rs 20 lakh crore was a welcome step for the farm sector. The proposal to decentralise storage was said to go a long way in controlling post-harvest losses and be an enabler and catalyst in increasing farmers’ returns, especially when coupled with Operation Greens to promote farmer producers organisations, agri-logistics, processing facilities, and professional management, and eNWR (electronic negotiable warehouse receipts).
Agriculture Accelerator Fund: The setting up of an Agriculture Accelerator Fund, aimed at encouraging startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas, was another remarkable step for the farm sector.
Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture: The plan to build digital public infrastructure for agriculture as an open source, open standard and interoperable public good was a notable step. This was a game-changer that enabled inclusive, farmer-centric solutions through relevant information services for crop planning and health, improved access to farm inputs, credit, and insurance.
Lack of tax incentives: Much-needed tax incentives to encourage investments by agri-tech players in new-age technology applications such as Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain were missing in the budget. The budget should have considered offering tax benefits to the agri-NBFC sector, which would have helped the sector to flourish and help the government achieve its goal of doubling farmer incomes. It is expected that the finance ministry will consider this proposal subsequently.
Lack of GST exclusion in storage space: The exclusion of goods and services tax on lease rentals that go as inputs to agri warehousing services was expected in this budget because it becomes a cost to service providers which gets passed on to consumers. Industry players had been advocating for this for a long time and hope the finance ministry will consider this proposal on a priority basis.
Hit by falling cultivation and the spread of disease in major producing areas banana prices have gone bananas.
Banana inflation increased to 16.5% in November from 2.2% four months ago, according to consumer inflation data released last month. Retail prices have been hovering around ₹30 per kg now, up from₹ 18-20 in October, said traders.
“The unsuitable weather conditions this year have led to several disease attacks affecting production,” said BV Patil, president of the Banana Growers Association.
Experts indicate that banana prices may have more upside. The modal price – the most common price at which a product is sold in a market – of bananas in Azadpur Mandi of Delhi, one of the largest fruit and vegetable markets, on January 6 was₹2,900 per quintal against ₹1,800 per quintal in October 2023, traders added. Experts indicate that it could also upend inflation mathematics. “Fruits inflation was around 11% in November 2023. Supply side pressures could keep fruits inflation high in the near term,” said Paras Jasrai, senior analyst, Ind-Ra. India’s annual production of bananas is 35.36 MT, and the country exported just 1% in FY23.
Production hit Traders and growers said production in some areas has been affected by as much as 15-30% due to unseasonal rains and disease outbreaks, pushing prices up. “This year, production of bananas has been affected due to erratic weather conditions and diseases in major producing states,” said Bhavesh Karara, a trader and exporter of fruits who also trades in bananas. Several banana-growing districts in Maharashtra, such as Jalgaon, have been affected by the spread of the cucumber mosaic virus. Unseasonal rains in September have further accentuated the situation.
Farmers in Bihar, another significant grower of the fruit, have shifted from bananas to maize, which has become economically more viable due to an increase in demand for poultry feed and ethanol. Further analysis shows that banana exports have risen nearly three times in the last four years alone. Middle Eastern nations have been the major importers of Indian bananas, accounting for over three-fourths of the total trade. But exports are finding new markets as well.
To bolster agricultural ventures and diversify crop cultivation, the Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Bihar, has announced a 40 percent subsidy under the National Horticulture Mission Scheme for the cultivation of dragon fruit in the state. This initiative aims to incentivize farmers and promote the growth of dragon fruit farming across the state, furthering the agricultural landscape and offering potential economic prosperity.
Dragon Fruit Cultivation in Bihar
As per Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Bihar, the introduction of dragon fruit cultivation in the state dates back to 2014 when Kishanganj district embarked on this endeavor. Since then, various districts like Katihar, Purnia, Araria, Supaul, Jamui, Nalanda, and Nawada have actively engaged in cultivating this tropical fruit. The uniqueness of dragon fruit, its health benefits, and rising consumer demand have propelled its cultivation in the Subsidy Announcement
The announcement of a 40 percent subsidy on the unit cost of Rs 1,25,000 per hectare for dragon fruit cultivation stems from the government’s recognition of the fruit’s economic potential and the growing interest among farmers in Bihar. This subsidy scheme intends to alleviate financial constraints and encourage more farmers to adopt dragon fruit cultivation, boosting agricultural diversification and income generation. The Directorate Of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Bihar posted on X, “Under the National Horticulture Mission Scheme, 40% subsidy is being given on the unit cost of Rs 1,25,000 per hectare for dragon fruit.”
Significance for Farmers and Agricultural Growth
For farmers in Bihar, this subsidy scheme presents an opportunity to explore a profitable niche in agriculture. Dragon fruit farming offers a shorter duration for flowering and fruiting, ensuring quicker returns on investment compared to conventional crops. The reduced unit cost due to the subsidy can significantly mitigate initial financial burdens, making the venture more accessible and appealing to a larger farming community.
The provision of a 40 percent subsidy for dragon fruit farming marks a pivotal moment in Bihar’s agricultural sector, aiming to transform landscapes and livelihoods. As farmers gear up to embrace this opportunity, the initiative holds promise for elevating agricultural output, boosting the economy, and positioning Bihar as a key player in the cultivation of this exotic and economically valuable fruit.
Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will on Thursday launch a tur dal procurement portal that will enable farmers to register themselves for selling the commodity and receive payments directly into their bank accounts.The multi-lingual portal will streamline the entire process for tur dal growers in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka and Jharkhand, simplifying the registration, procurement and payment processes.
The portal will be launched at a national symposium on ‘self-reliance in pulses’ to be held here in the capital.Currently, the government procures various kinds of pulses including tur dal through agencies such as Nafed and NCCF for maintaining a buffer stock.”This farmer-centric initiative aims to empower tur dal producers with better prices through procurement, streamlined processes and direct bank transfers by NAFED and NCCF, thereby boosting domestic pulses production and reducing import dependence,” an official statement said.Under this initiative, pulses will be purchased for buffer stock from the farmers registered on the portal and minimum support price (MSP) or market price, whichever is higher, will be paid to the farmers, it said.According to the cooperation ministry, the process of registration, purchase and payment on the portal will be available on a single medium.Farmers can register on the portal directly or through Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) and Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO). The payment to the farmers will be made by NAFED directly into their mapped bank account and no agency will be involved in between, it said.”The entire process is farmer centric in which farmers themselves can track the activities from registration to payment,” the ministry said.The portal aims to reduce dependence on imports by purchasing 80 per cent of the buffer stock directly from farmers. This will not only secure food production but will also ensure the future food security of the nation, it said.The portal will connect farmers, NAFED and concerned government departments, streamlining processes for better accessibility, it added.
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New Delhi: The government on Wednesday notified export of 8,606 tonnes of raw cane sugar under tariff rate quota (TRQ) scheme to the US.
The quantity of 8,606 MT raw sugar to be exported to the US under TRQ scheme from 1 October 2023, to 30 September 2024 has been notified,” a notification issued by the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said.
India, the world’s second biggest producer and the largest consumer of sugar, has a preferential quota arrangement for sugar export with the US.
The quota will be operated by APEDA, the DGFT notification said.
The export of raw cane sugar to the US is allocated for US fiscal year 2024, the notification said. “Certificate of origin, if required, for preferential export of sugar to USA shall be issued by additional director general of foreign trade, Mumbai on recommendation of APEDA regarding entity and quantity for which eligible. Other certification requirements, if any, prescribed specifically for export of sugar to the USA would continue to be followed,” the notification said.
The tariff rate quota is a mechanism that allows the import of a set quantity of specific products. Tariff quotas are used on a wide range of products but most are in the agriculture sector. Cereals, meat, fruit and vegetables, and dairy products are the most common, and sugar is also protected in most producing countries.
The import of sugar into the US are governed by TRQs, which allow a certain quantity of sugar to enter the country under a low tariff. TRQs apply to imports of raw cane sugar, refined sugar, sugar syrups, specialty sugars and sugar-containing products.
The government has also extended restrictions on export of sugar (raw sugar, white sugar, refined sugar and organic sugar) beyond 31 October 2023.
The Centre has so far procured 25,000 tonnes of onion grown in the 2023 kharif season for maintaining a buffer stock, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on Monday.The government is procuring onion to maintain a buffer stock and use it for market intervention to boost domestic availability and keep prices in check
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The government has raised the buffer stock target to 7 lakh tonnes for the 2023-24 fiscal, against the actual stock of 3 lakh tonnes last year.According to the Secretary, the government had procured 5 lakh tonnes from last year’s rabi season and is purchasing 2 lakh tonnes of kharif onion as the buffer stock target has been raised.”About 25,000 tonnes of kharif onion has so far been procured from mandis.
The procurement is underway,” he told PTI.Of the 5 lakh tonnes of rabi onion lying in the buffer stock, the government has offloaded 3.04 lakh tonnes of onion through cooperative Nafed and NCCF in the market to check prices.As a result, the all-India average retail price of onion has come down by 27.58 per cent to Rs 42 per kg from over a month ago, he added.To arrest sharp spikes in retail prices, the government has banned onion exports till March 31.
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As the new wheat crop floods the markets, prices are seeing a downturn. This contrasts starkly with the scenario just a month ago when demand outstripped supply, causing an eight-month high in prices. Some markets even saw wheat being sold at almost double the MSP. However, with increased arrivals, prices have balanced out.
According to the Agmarknet portal of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, except for specific markets like Bengaluru and Shimoga in Karnataka, where wheat prices are higher (Rs 4300 per quintal), most mandis across the country are selling wheat below Rs 4000 per quintal. Some markets like Badnavar Mandi reported prices even below the MSP, at Rs 2130 per quintal.
In contrast, places like Vidisha Mandi in Madhya Pradesh saw wheat being sold at Rs 3800 per quintal, which is relatively higher. Sangli Mandi in Maharashtra fetched the best price at Rs 3800/quintal, while the lowest was at Rs 2200/quintal in Aurad Shahjani Mandi. Across states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the average wheat price hovers around Rs 2500/quintal, slightly above the MSP, but in several markets, it has dipped below the MSP.
Remember, the price of crops often varies based on their quality, and traders factor this in when setting prices. For a comprehensive list of crop prices in various markets,
