India is accelerating its transition toward sustainable agriculture by promoting the use of organic fertilizers through targeted government schemes. The latest update comes from Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, who informed Parliament that the government has expanded support for organic manure produced through biogas and compressed biogas plants.
The initiative is being implemented under the Market Development Assistance Scheme for Organic Fertilizers, which provides financial incentives to encourage production and adoption of environmentally friendly fertilizers. As part of the programme, 120 compressed biogas and biogas plants have already been registered on the government’s fertilizer management platform, enabling them to market organic fertilizer products nationwide.
The scheme is closely linked with the GOBARdhan Initiative, which aims to convert agricultural waste, cattle dung, and organic residues into valuable resources such as bioenergy and organic manure.
With rising concerns about soil degradation, chemical fertilizer overuse, and climate change, the government is focusing on sustainable nutrient management to protect soil health while ensuring long term agricultural productivity. Officials say the initiative could play a key role in promoting circular agriculture and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
The Government of India has strengthened efforts to promote organic fertilizers through financial support under the Market Development Assistance Scheme for Organic Fertilizers.
The programme provides financial assistance of Rs 1500 per metric tonne to support the marketing and distribution of organic fertilizers produced at compressed biogas and biogas plants.
The incentive applies to multiple organic fertilizer products including Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, and Phosphate Rich Organic Manure.
According to information shared by Jagat Prakash Nadda in the Rajya Sabha, 120 compressed biogas and biogas plants have been registered on the Integrated Fertilizer Management System portal as of March 4, 2026.
Registration on this digital platform allows these facilities to distribute organic fertilizers through a structured and monitored supply chain.
To further expand distribution networks, fertilizer marketing companies have signed 44 agreements with operators of compressed biogas plants. These partnerships are expected to improve market access for organic fertilizers across India.
Government officials believe such collaborations between fertilizer companies and bioenergy producers will help build a stronger ecosystem for organic fertilizer production and distribution.
India has increasingly focused on sustainable agriculture and waste management over the past decade.
The GOBARdhan Initiative, launched in 2018, was designed to convert cattle dung and agricultural residues into valuable resources including biogas, compressed biogas, and organic manure.
The initiative supports rural sanitation, renewable energy generation, and improved soil health simultaneously.
To complement this programme, the government later introduced the Market Development Assistance Scheme for Organic Fertilizers to encourage the marketing and usage of organic fertilizers produced by biogas plants.
The scheme aims to ensure that organic manure generated from waste processing facilities reaches farmers through organized supply chains.
These efforts are also aligned with India’s broader goal of reducing chemical fertilizer dependence and promoting balanced nutrient management in agriculture.
Agriculture experts say the government’s initiative could help address multiple challenges facing Indian farming.
Excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers has been linked to soil degradation, declining organic matter content, and environmental pollution in several agricultural regions.
Encouraging the use of organic fertilizers derived from waste resources may help restore soil fertility while reducing environmental impact.
Industry stakeholders also see economic potential in the emerging bioenergy and organic fertilizer sector.
Compressed biogas plants not only produce renewable fuel but also generate large volumes of nutrient rich organic manure as a by product.
By creating a structured market for these products, the government is helping transform agricultural waste into commercially valuable inputs.
Government data indicates that demand for organic fertilizers has grown rapidly since the introduction of the Market Development Assistance Scheme for Organic Fertilizers.
Sales of key organic fertilizer products including Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, and Phosphate Rich Organic Manure increased dramatically from 56,058 metric tonnes in the 2023–24 financial year.
This figure rose to 3.36 lakh metric tonnes in 2024–25 and further expanded to more than 16.72 lakh metric tonnes during the 2025–26 financial year up to February 28.
Overall sales of these organic fertilizers have crossed 20.65 lakh metric tonnes since the scheme’s launch.
The government has also disbursed more than Rs 111.72 crore as financial assistance under the programme.
According to research published by the Food and Agriculture Organization, increasing organic matter in soil is essential for improving long term agricultural productivity and resilience.
Meanwhile, soil health reports from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research highlight that balanced fertilizer use combining organic and inorganic nutrients can significantly improve crop yields and soil structure.
The government’s organic fertilizer push could have wide ranging implications for India’s agricultural sector.
First, increased adoption of organic fertilizers can improve soil quality and reduce the environmental impact associated with excessive chemical fertilizer usage.
Healthier soils can retain water more effectively and support better crop growth.
Second, the initiative promotes a circular economy by converting agricultural waste and animal dung into valuable agricultural inputs.
This reduces waste disposal challenges while generating additional revenue streams for rural communities.
Third, expanding the market for organic fertilizers could stimulate growth in the biogas and compressed biogas industries.
These industries contribute to renewable energy production while simultaneously supporting sustainable agriculture.
The initiative also aligns with India’s climate commitments by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste decomposition and chemical fertilizer production.
Looking ahead, the government plans to further expand awareness campaigns to encourage farmers to adopt organic fertilizers.
Between February 2025 and January 2026, fertilizer marketing companies organized over 15,000 outreach programmes including farmer workshops and field demonstrations across the country.
These events, often referred to as Kisan Sangoshthis, provided technical guidance on fertilizer application, crop specific nutrient management, and soil health practices.
Experts say continued farmer education will be essential to ensure that organic fertilizers are used effectively alongside conventional inputs.
Policymakers are also exploring ways to integrate organic fertilizer production with India’s expanding compressed biogas ecosystem.
If the current momentum continues, India could develop one of the world’s largest networks for waste to fertilizer production.
Such an ecosystem would not only strengthen sustainable agriculture but also support renewable energy, rural employment, and environmental protection.