Organic Fertilizer Sales Cross 20 Lakh Tonnes Under Govt MDA Scheme

India's push to promote organic fertilizers from GOBARdhan and Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants has gained significant momentum, with total sales of key organic fertilizers crossing 20.65 lakh metric tonnes, according to data shared by the Government in Parliament.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said the government is implementing the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to support the production and marketing of organic fertilizers derived from bio-waste and biogas plants.

Financial Support to Promote Organic Fertilizers

Under the scheme, the government provides Market Development Assistance of ₹1,500 per metric tonne for the sale of:

• Fermented Organic Manure (FOM)

• Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM)

• Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM)

The initiative aims to encourage the adoption of organic fertilizers while strengthening sustainable agriculture, soil health, and waste-to-wealth initiatives under programmes like GOBARdhan.

Over 120 Biogas Plants Registered

As of 4 March 2026, 120 Compressed Biogas (CBG) and biogas plants have been registered on the Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) portal for selling these organic fertilizers.

To improve market access and distribution at the grassroots level, Fertilizer Marketing Companies (FMCs) have been encouraged to collaborate with plant operators.

So far, 44 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between FMCs and CBG operators to market FOM, LFOM and PROM across various regions.

Nationwide Farmer Outreach Programmes

The Department of Fertilizers has also directed fertilizer companies to conduct extensive farmer awareness programmes to promote organic fertilizers and balanced nutrient use.

Between February 2025 and January 2026, 24 Fertilizer Marketing Companies organized 15,690 Kisan Sangoshthis and farmer camps across the country.

These outreach initiatives included:

• Demonstrations on FOM, LFOM, PROM, PDM and City Compost

• Training on fertilizer dosage and crop-specific application

• Awareness sessions on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

• Promotion of organic farming practices and soil health improvement

Interactive farmer engagement and demonstration plots have been key tools to encourage the adoption of organic inputs.

Rapid Growth in Organic Fertilizer Sales

Government data shows a sharp increase in the sale of organic fertilizers over the past three years.

Year-wise sales of FOM, LFOM and PROM:

*Data for 2025–26 is up to 28 February 2026.

The figures indicate strong growth in Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM), which accounts for the largest share of sales.

Over ₹111 Crore Released as Assistance

The government has released ₹111.72 crore under the MDA scheme so far.

Year-wise MDA release:

*Data up to 28 February 2026.

Scheme Under Evaluation by NITI Aayog

With the MDA scheme scheduled to conclude this year, its impact is currently being assessed by NITI Aayog.

To further strengthen scientific evaluation and farmer awareness, the Department of Fertilizers has approved a two-year research and demonstration project by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The project, which began on 29 November 2024, will conduct field studies and demonstrations on FOM and LFOM, with a total funding of ₹11.79 crore.

Officials said the initiative will help build scientific evidence on the benefits of organic fertilizers while encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable nutrient management practices.