ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING

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The average consumption of chemical fertilizers in the country during 2002-03 was 84.82 Kg. per hectare. This level of consumption is not believed to have any ill effect on soil and water. However, to ensure that there is no ill effect of any kind due to imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers, the Government propagates the Integrated Nutrient Management which includes soil test-based judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic sources of nutrients The Government also promotes organic farming by advocating enhanced use of organic sources of nutrients like farm yard manure, compost, green manure, vermin-compost and bio-fertilizers. The Government has formulated a National Project on Organic Farming with an outlay of Rs.99.58 crores during the Tenth Plan. Under the project, a National Institute of Organic Farming is to be set up for promotion of organic farming in the country.