Landmarks in Agriculture and Fertiliser in India
http://www.faidelhi.org/article%20-dr%20biswas/article%20bcb-jan11.pdf
FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
Many important and interesting events
had taken place in the past which had
greatly influenced the Indian agriculture
in general and the soil fertility, fertiliser
use research, education, extension and
promotion in particular in the country.
The informations in relation to the
landmarks have been documented and
are available in different publications
(7,8,11). Some important landmarks
have been mentioned in this paper for
the ready reference of the readers. One
of the most important landmarks that
influenced the agricultural research,
education and extension of the country
to a great extent in 1960s has been
positioned as the backdrop of a case
study of a practising farmer who has
been performing exceedingly well. For
the convenience of presentation, land
marks have been divided into two groups
i.e. (i) events that happened before
independence and (ii) events that
happened after independence.
Landmarks that had taken place before
independence have been mentioned in
Table 1.
Agriculture research is as old as fertiliser
industry in India. The first Agriculture
Research Institute was established in old
PUSA , Bihar in 1905 and the first fertiliser
production unit was established in 1906
in Ranipet in Tamil Nadu (Table 1). In the
first 50 years of the last century, the
fertiliser use was confined mainly to
plantation crops in view of better crop
response to fertilisers.
Landmarks in Agriculture and Fertiliser in India
THE SUCCESS STORY OF A UTTARAKHAND FARMER
B. C. BISWAS
Consultant
The Fertiliser Association of India, New Delhi
Landmarks in agriculture and fertiliser are many. Some of them have made direct impact on agriculture
and fertiliser use in the country, but a few could really sustain the impact on the farming community for a
long. Many of the organizations are engaged in the welfare of the farming community. In this paper, an
attempt has been made to highlight the spirit of farm management of a small farmer of Uttarakhand in
spite of changed surroundings.
Table 1 - Some landmarks that took place before independence
Year Landmarks Remarks
1885 Long term fertiliser trials at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
R B S College, Bichpuri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
1892 J W Leather became Imperial Chemist
1905 Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research,
PUSA Bihar
1906 SSP unit Ranipet, Tamil Nadu
1909 LTME, PUSA, Coimbatore etc
1922 Rabindranath Tagore Experiment, Sriniketan,
West Bengal
1928 Royal Commission on Agriculture( RCA) RCA recommended to
establish Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR)
1929 Imperial Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
1933 Production of Ammonium Sulphate as by product of Steel Industry
1941 Production of Ammonium Sulphate by using H2SO4
1942 Grow More Food Campaign initiated
1943 Soil map of India by Viswanath and Ukil
All India Soil Survey Scheme launched
1944 Central Fertiliser Pool initiated
1947 A B Stewart submitted report on soil fertility
investigation with reference to manuring to ICAR
The tragic Bengal famine (1942-43) which
took away the lives of millions forced the
British Government to think seriously
about the food security in the country.
Grow More Food Campaign was
launched. Central Rice Research Institute
(CRRI) was established in Cuttack in
Orissa in 1946. It may be mentioned that
Rice Research Institute at Chinchura
(West Bengal) and Rice Research
Institute in Marutaru in Andhra Pradesh
were already in existence. India became
independent in 1947. In 1949, with the
appointment of the Radhakrishnan
University Education Commission,
agricultural education through setting up
of rural universities became a focal point.
Landmarks after Independence
For the convenience of presentation, the
landmarks that took place after independence
have been subdivided in stage I
(1948-1967), stage II(1968-1990) and stage
III (1991-2010). The first 20 years after
independence were devoted to infrastructure
development, creation of irrigation
facilities, evaluation of soil fertility,
production of fertilisers, improvement of
crop varieties, and creation of facilities for
research, education and extension though
establishments of agricultural universities
(Table 2).
As rice was the staple food of the country,
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
the improvement in rice productivity was
given due attention. Japanese method of
rice cultivation was tested in the country.
In some cases, the yield obtained was
quite high, but the same was not sustained.
Some NP varieties of wheat were
developed at Indian Agricultural
Research Institute, but these were not so
input responsive.
“In 1954 an Indo- American team led by
Dr K R Damle, arrived with the idea of
establishing a Rural University on the
land grant pattern of USA. As a
consequence a contract between the
Government of India, The Technical
Cooperation Mission and some land grant
universities of USA was signed to
promote agricultural education in the
country. The university of Tennessee, the
Ohio State University, the Kansas State
University, The University of Illiniois,
The Pennsylvania State University and
the University of Missouri were included
in collaborative endeavourer. The task
of assisting Uttar Pradesh in establishing
an Agricultural University was assigned
to the university of Illinois which signed
a contract in 1959 to establish an
agricultural University in UP. Dean, H.
W. Hannah, of the Illinois prepared a
blueprint for an Agricultural University
to be set up at the Tarai State Farm in the
district of Nainital. It is imperative to make
mention here that in the initial stage, the
University of Illinois also provided the
services of its scientists and professors.
Thus in 1960, the first agricultural
university of India, UP Agricultural
University , came into being, by an act of
Legislation, UP Act XI-V of 1958. The
University was dedicated to the nation
by the first Prime Minister of India Pt
Jawaharlal Nehru on 17 November, 1960.
It was then renamed as Govind Ballabh
Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology in 1972 keeping in view the
contribution of Pt G B Pant , the then the
Chief Minister of UP.
The sound foundation of the University
is rightly credited to the first Vice
Chancellor, late Dr Kenneth Anthony
Parker Stevenson (1/12/58 to 2/1/64) who
kept people fruitfully engaged on the
Table 2 – Post Independence landmarks : Stage I (1948—1967)
Year Landmarks
1948 Simple fertiliser trials (SFT) with N & P started in Bihar
1949 Dr S Radhakrishnan Commission on Education
1951 Sindri fertiliser factory set up by Fertiliser Corporation of India
under - potash scheme, K trials on farmers fields started
1952 NP & NPK simple fertiliser trials in corn
1952 Simple fertiliser trials on Farmers Field and Model Agronomy Project started by ICAR
Soil fertility and fertiliser use project with TMC assistance initiated
National Extension Service started
1954 First Batch of 24 Soil Testing Laboratories set up
1955 The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) was born
1956 Kisan Khad Scheme started for promotion of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate
by European Industry
Ist Soil test developed in India (N test by Subbiah and Asija)
1957 Ist All India Coordinated Crop Improvement Project on Maize
FCO under Essential Commodoties Act came into existence
1958 Panchayati Raj System introduced
CD blocks divided according to stage of development
1959 TV introduced
Production of Urea, Ammonium Chloride, Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate started
Extension education institute started
1960 Ist Agric university , U P Agriculture University at Pantnagar
IADP programme initiated
1961 Ist maize hybrid released for cultivation, Production of CAN at Nangal started
Japan Urea center started for urea promotion
Centre for study of Nitrogen started by European N industry
1962 Production of ammonium phosphate started
1963 National Seeds Corporation set up
1964 First Krishi Vigyan Kendra was established in Pondichery
1965 Sivaraman Committee Report Submitted
Production of Nitrophosphates at Trombay
Reorganisation of ICAR and initiation of coordinated research projects
HYV of rice introduced
National Demonastration started with HYVs
First generation TV service started on regular basis
Village adoption programme started by Industry
1966 Fertiliser marketing liberalized as recommend by the Sivaraman Committee
Rice variety IR8 released for general cultivation HYV programme started
Farm and home unit started at radio stations
Zn deficiency in rice reported by Prof Nene
1967 India bred HYVs of rice (Jaya, Padma) released
Table 3 – Post independence landmarks, Stage III (1968-1990)
1968 Wheat variety Kalyan Sona released
Production of NPK complexes, TSP, Urea Ammonium Phosphate started.
Farm service centres started by Industry (GSFC)
A KVK started at R K Mission, Ranchi
1969 Coordinated research on soil test crop response correlation started
Coordinated research on micronutrients started
Central Soil Salinity Research Institute set up
FAI started training of fertiliser personnel
ANP promotion programme started
First district-level soil fertility maps published by Ramamoorthy
and Bajaj
Production of phosphate rock started at Udaipur
Fertiliser pilot schemes started in U.P. with United Kingdom assistance and in
Maharashtra with Japanese assistance
1970 Agro service centres set up by agro industries
Coordinated research on dryland agriculture started
Coordinated research project on longterm fertiliser experiments started
Area under HYVs crossed 10 million hectares
Rice minikit programme started
Fertiliser consumption crossed 2 million tonnes (N+P2O5
+K2O)
Continued.....
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
1971 Development agencies for small and marginal farmers set up.
Efficiency of neem cake in improving N-use : efficiency reported by Bains et.al.
Green Revolution in India
1972 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
set up near Hyderabad.
Central scheme for development of pulses started.
1973 Global energy (oil) crisis.
Block demonstration started in Karnataka by MCFL.
Operational research projects (ORP) initiated by ICAR.
Area under HYVs crossed 20 million ha.
1974 Fertiliser prices doubled in wake of global energy crisis
Training and visit (T&V) system of extention introduced.
Indo-German Fertiliser Educational Project launched.
Establishment of farm science centres through KVKs by ICAR.
Zinc sulphates, first micronutrient fertiliser brought into the Fertiliser (Control) Order.
Command area development programme started
1975 Minimum support prices for crops introduced by government.
Satellite Instructional Television (SITE) undertaken.
Pilot project on rice and wheat initiated in Maharashtra.
1976 National Commission on Agriculture report submitted.
Intensive fertiliser promotion campaign launched.
FAO/UK/HFCL dryland farming educational programme started in MP
Area under HYV crossed 30 million ha
1977 Marathe Committee Report on Fertiliser Pricing System submitted.
Potash Research Institute of India established by IPL.
Retention price formula for fertilisers introduced
Fertiliser consumption crossed 3 million tonnes( N+P2O5
+K2O).
1978 NCAER fertiliser demand survey showed that 45% farmers did not use fertiliser
Multi agency system for handling imported fertilisers introduced.
Oilseeds included in minimum support price programme.
Fertiliser consumption crossed 4 million tonnes( N+P2O5
+K2O).
Number of fertiliser sale points exceeded.100,000
1979 Complex fertiliser also brought under retention price system,
Production of supergranules (USG) for trial purposes started by IFFCO.
Area under HYVS
crossed 40 million ha.
Fertiliser consumption crossed 5 million tonnes( N+P2O5
+K2O)
ICAR, lab to land programme launched.
1980 New version of intensive fertiliser promotion campaign started.
Urea ammonium nitrate solution produced for trail purpose by NFL.
Block delivery scheme for fertilisers introduced.
1981 Indo British Fertiliser Education Project launched by HFC in 25 districts.
Fertiliser consumption crossed 6 million tonnes( N+P2O5
+K2O.)
1982 SSP brought under statutory price control.
Indian Society of Soil Science hosted the 12th International
Congress of Soil Science.
1983 Fertiliser consumption crossed 7 million tonnes (N+P2O5
+K2O)
1984 National agriculture input fortnights started.
Special rice production programme started.
Area under HYVS crossed 50 million ha.
1985 Indo-EEC Fertiliser educational programme started in the northen-western
and southern regions by FACT, NFL and RCF.
National oilseed development project launched.
Fertiliser consumption crossed 8 million tonnes (N+P2O5
+K2O)
1986 Technology mission on oilseeds set up.
Polyphosphates produced for trial purpose at RCF.
Lead Fertiliser suppliers(LFS) for districts and states identified.
1987 G.V.K Rao Committee Report on Fertiliser Consumer Prices submitted.
Indian Institute of Soil Science established at Bhopal.
FAO –Sulphur Net work Trail started
1988 Indo Canadian Agriculture Extension Project initiated by IPL in UP.
National project on development of fertiliser use in rainfed low
fertiliser consuming areas started.
1989 Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada sets up an office in the country.
Area under HYVs crossed 60 mha
1990 India crosses 11 million tonnes fertiliser nutrient consumption.
Fortified fertiliser (Zincated urea, boronated SSP) and USG included in FCO
university farm, the labs, and the
classrooms despite the fear of wild animals
roaming the area. In the initial days, the
university earned very good names. It
attracted the student and staff from all over
the country in addition to the foreign staff.
In late 1960s, in a conference held in
Delhi, the Dean of the University proudly
declared “ If any of our students fail to
perform, we would withdraw his/her
degree”
The university helped to establish more
than 30 agricultural universities in the
country. It played a key role in the
development of the Green Revolution
Techonogy in India. Khaira Disease
(Zn deficiency disease) was discovered
by Prof Nene (Table 2) of this university.
Rice production increased from 20.5 mt in
1950-51 to 43.2 mt in 1970-71 while wheat
production increased from 6.4 mt to 23.8
mt during the same period. That means the
wheat production increase was about 4
fold. This unprecedented increase in rice
and wheat production is popularly
known as Green Revolution (Table 3).
Sea change was seen in agriculture sector
where fertiliser use has played a key role.
Fertiliser consumption increased from 69.8
thousand tonnes in 1950-51 to 2.25mt in
1970-71.
The farmers of the nearby area of the
university still remember the contribution
made by the staff and students of the
university in the transferring the
technology to the their farms. Of late,
however, the tempo of earlier days has
become a history of the past. The
university seems to have aged.
A SUCCESS STORY OF 70 YEARS
OLD YOUNG FARMER
The 50 years old university looks very old
while the farmers of the area ill afford to
do so. The farmers whose main source of
income is farming, have tried their best to
improve their productivity and
profitability. It is interesting to make a
mention here that the farmer’s yield is
much higher than that of the state average
Table 3 – Post independence land marks, stage 11 (1968-1990) (Concluded)
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
yield and also of the yield obtained by
the university farm now (Table 5).
State Yield
Uttarakhand the newly born state where
the first agriculture university is now
situated has little area under plain land.
The major part of the state is hilly. And
the hilly areas have serious problems of
irrigation facilities, acidity, small and
marginal farmers, marketing, availability
of various inputs like good quality seeds,
fertilisers, etc. That is why the crop
productivity is low in the hilly tract of the
state. On the other hand , the Tarai area of
the state particularly the U S Nagar district
is very productive. The input availability
is not a problem in this district. Fertiliser
consumption per ha is more than 350 kg.
Crop productivity is also high. But the
yield of the long term fertiliser trials
located in the university is slightly better
(Table 5).
University Yield
Crop Productivty (t/ha) in long term
fertiliser experiment in university farm is
given in Table 5.
Farmer’s Yield
The farmers of the U S Nagar are very
innovative. A short account of such a
small farmer having only 4 acres (16,000
sqm) find a place here. The name of the
farmer is Shri Dharma Nand Nailwal. He
belongs to village Chukati Devriah, PO
Devriah, District U S Nagar, Uttarakhand.
Shri Nailwal has three daughters and a
son. All daughters are married and the
son is in service. He is not English literate,
but progresses profound knowledge and
skill in agriculture. His day starts early. His
farm land is about two km away from his
residence. His morning walk cum regular
field visits begin at about 8 AM. Regular
field visit which is done religiously helps
him to plan meticulously and perform the
farm operation efficiently. At the age of 70,
he is young at heart.”One who works for
salary only is a slave while one who loves
to work is the Master” Shri Nailwal is the
Table 4 – Post independence landmarks : Stage III (1991-2010)
1991 Dual Pricing.
Decontrol of A/S, CAN and Ammonium Chloride.
1992 Joint (Parliamentary) Committee on Fertiliser Pricing.
Decontrol of P&K fertilisers.
1993 Decanalisation of MOP.
1998 High Powered Fertilizer Pricing Policy Review
Committee (HPC)
(Hanumantha Rao Committee).
2001 Expert Committee on Reassessment. of
Production Capacity.
National Agriculture Policy Announced.
2003 Inclusion of Sulphur in FCO as plant Nutrient
Establishment of Central Agricultural University.
New Pricing Scheme for Urea units (NPS).
2005 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
National Horticultural Mission.
2007 Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
National Food Security Mission.
National Commission on Farmers.
2008 Subsidy on Sulphur in Complex fertiliser.
Guidelines for production and use of Customized Fertilizers.
Policy for encouraging production and availability for
fortified and coated fertilisers.
2009 Revised policy for ad hoc concession for SSP.
Certified Crop Advisor (India) by IRRI started.
2010 Nutrient based subsidy (NBS) on P& K fertilisers introduced w.e.f
1.4.2010 and for SSP w.e.f 1.5.2010
International Zinc Associations office in India
Fertiliser consumption crossed 25 mt (N+P2O5
+K2O).
Table 5 – Crop productivity (t/ha) in long term fertiliser experiment
at the university farm
Location Crop Treatment (100%NPK+FYM)
Yield (t/ha)
Ludhiana
Maize 4.2
Wheat 5.5
Cowpea 5.2
Pantnagar
Rice 4.7
Wheat 4.7
Cowpea 1.0
Source : (10)
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
Table 6 – Economics of Rice and Wheat cultivation (Rs/ha)
Sl. No. Particulars Rice Wheat Remarks
1 Land preparation 12500.0 12500.0
2 Seeds(50+125) 750.0 12500.0
3 Manures 3000.0 nil
4 Fertilisers 2297.0 3527.0
5 Irrigation 7125.0 1710.0
6 Plant protection 5000.0 375.0
7 Weeding 3000.0 200.0
8 Harvesting &Threshing 2500.0 2500.0
9 Others
10 Total cost 36172.0 23937.0
11 Yield Tonnes/ha) 7.5 6.25
12 Price(Rs/t) 8000.00 11000.0
Bhusa
13 Income 60,000 68750.0
14 Net profit 23828.0 44813.0
15 System total 68641.00
Table 7 – Economics of sugarcane cultivation (Rs./ha)
Sl. No Particulars Planted Ratoon Remarks
1 Land preparation &planting 5000.0 nil
2 Seeds 8505.0 nil
3 Fertilisers 8739.0 796.0
4 Manures 1800.0 nil
5 Irrigation 6840.0 6840.0
6 Plant protection 500.0 1500.0
7 Weeding 2400.0 2400.0
8 Tying 500.0 500.0
9 Harvesting 750.0 6000.0
10 Others
11 Total cost 41034.0 18036.0
12 Yield (T/acre) 45 40
13 Price(Rs/t) 2400 2400
14 Income (Rs/acre) 108000.0 96000.0
15 Net profit (Rs/acre) 66966.0 77964.0
16 Net Profit (Rs/ha) 167415.0 194910.0
17 Total profit(Rs/ha) 362325.0
master in real sense.
Master Nailwal has been practising
various cropping systems, namely ricewheat
system, sugarcane system, mixed
cropping of sugarcane and pea, mixed
cropping of sugarcane and lahi, summer
rice and animal husbandry system. In
addition, he has some fruit crops (mango,
guava, etc) which are used for domestic
consumption. Master Nailwal is seen in
his field (Photographs).
Rice-Wheat
Rice-wheat cropping system occupies
about 12.33 million hectare (mha) area in
India of which about 10 mha lies in the
Indo-Gangetic plains. Rice- wheat in IndoGangetic
plains covers 75 % of the total
rice and 63 % of the total wheat area of the
country making it the most widely adopted
and important cropping system of the
region. Rice-wheat system has the great
appetite for plant nutrients and has the
yield potential of 8-12 t/ha/annum. This
system has contributed to the lion’s share
of the Green Revolution in the country.
The rice and wheat yields that the farmer
under reference obtained were 7.5 and
6.25 tonnes/ha respectively. These are
very high compared to the national
average yield and the Uttarakhand state
yields. Organic manure was used in rice
only. The fertiliser used in wheat was
higher than that of rice. The net profit he
obtained was higher in wheat (Rs 44813/
ha) than in rice (Rs.23828/ha). The total
profit of rice–wheat amounts to be Rs
68641/ha (Table 6). The cost benefit ratio
is about 1.0 which is quite low. It may be
mentioned here that the yield obtained by
the farmer under discussion is much higher
than the yield obtained by the farmers of
western Uttar Pradesh (2).
Summer Rice
Master Nailwal has the experience of
growing summer rice The yield he got
was very high (12tonnes/ha). The manure
and fertiliser use was high. Insect-pest
infestation is relatively less. Price he
obtained was higher. Therefore, net
profit he got was also higher (Table 7).
The cost benefit ratio (2.49) was also
more attractive Summer rice consumes
higher amount of irrigation water. It is
reported that 3000 to 5000 liters of water
are needed to produce a kg of rice.
Therefore, to reduce the water need of rice
production, new rice culture technology
called SRI may be adopted (5). It seems
in Punjab summer rice cultivation has
been banned. It may be banned in
Uttarakhand also in years to come.
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
Cultivation of alternate crops/cropping
systems therefore, need to be encouraged.
Sugarcane System
Sugarcane is also an important crop in
this area. Sugarcane this year fetcheed
very good price. The yield obtained was
high (45t/acre-112.5t/ha). Money spent on
manure and fertiliser use was higher
(Rs10539/ha) in planted crop than the
ratoon. Interestingly the net profit was
higher in ratoon (Rs194910/ha) than
planted crop (Rs167415/ha). The cost
benefit ratio of the system was Rs.2.45
(Table 8). This yield is comparable to the
yield obtained by the prize winning
farmers of the western Uttar Pradesh (4).
This also indicates the fact that crop
management is the key to high productivity.
Mixed Cropping Systems
Sugarcane + Pea
As sugarcane is relatively long duration
crop, vegetable crop like pea can be
conveniently grown in October planted
sugarcane. Pea has a different kind of
rooting system and being a legume, it is
Table 8 – Economics of a mixed crop of sugarcane (October planting)
and pea (Rs/ha)
Sl. No Particulars Sugarcane Pea Remarks
1 Land preparation & planting 5000.0 nil
2 Seed 8505.0 1200.0
3 Fertilisers 8739.0
4 Manures 1800.0
5 Irrigation 6840.0 1000.0
6 Plant protection 500.0 500.0
7 Weeding 2400.0 1000.0
8 Tying 500.0
9 Harvesting 6750.0 3000.0
10 Total cost 41034.0 6700.0
11 Yield (t/ha) 45 12
12 Price(Rs/t) 2400.0 7000.0
13 Income (Rs/acre) 108000.0 84000.0
14 Net profit(Rs/acre) 66966.0 77300.0
15 Net profit (Rs/ha) 167415.0 193250.0
16 Total net profit(Rs/ha) 360665.00
Table 9 – Economics of a mixed crop of sugarcane and lahi ( Rs/ha)
Sl. No Particulars Sugarcane Lahi Remarks
1 Land preparation & planing 5000.0
2 Seed 8505.0 60.0
3 Fertilisers 8739.0
4 Manures 1800.0
5 Irrigation 6840.0 570.0
6 Plant protection 500.0
7 Weeding 2400.0
8 Tying 500.0
9 Harvesting 750.0 1000.0
10 Total 41034.0 1630.0
11 Yield(t/acre) 45 0.8
12 Price (Rs/t) 2400.0 30000.0
13 Income (Rs/acre) 108000.0 2400.0
14 Net profit (Rs/acre) 66966.0 22370.0
15 Net profit(Rs/ha) 167415.0 55925.0
16 Total profit (Rs/ha) 223340.0
capable of harvesting the legume effect.
Therefore, its inclusion in the system,
has an added advantage of improvement
of soil fertility. It is appropriate to mention
that it is economically more attractive than
even the sugarcane cropping system (Table
9). The total net profit generated was Rs
360665/ha wherein the contribution of pea
was about 53 percent . After the emergence
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
of the crop is also very high. The net
profit generated by the system is
Rs.223340 wherein the contribution of lahi
was about 25% (Table 10). As the land
availability for growing sole crop of
oilseeds is a serious problem, this type of
mixed crop with high value will go a long
way in increasing oilseeds and the farm
productivity.
Animal Husbandry System
Dairy
Animal husbandry has been always an
integral part of agriculture. Cattle farming
provides much needed milk and the
valuable organic manure prepared from
cattle dung and urine. Three cows
generate a net profit of Rs 85721 per annum
(Table 11 ).
Goatary
Meat price is very high. Goat rearing is,
therefore, becoming a very profitable
venture. It also provides milk. Therefore, it
is rightly called poor man’s cow. Four goats
generate a net profit of Rs.56960 which
contributes about 40% of the total profit
(Table 11). The animal husbandry should
form an integral part of the farming system
(3).
Input Availability and Marketing Facility
All needed inputs like good quality
seeds, fertilisers, irrigation facilities,
plant protection materials are easily
available at the affordable prices.
Marketing of the produces is very easy.
Produces like vegetable and others are
sold at the farm itself. Cooperative
societies are well developed . Government
officials are also helpful.
CONCLUSION
Agriculture is very difficult and risky job.
Though once upon a time our ancestors
were farmers, but the farmers (The
Annadata) are not properly honoured
and cared. Therefore, the young
generation not interested in farming.
Table 10 – Economics of Summer rice cultivation (Rs/ha)
Sl. No Particulars Rice Remarks
1 Land preparation & planting 12500.0
2 Seed 750.0
3 Fertilisers 3000.0
4 Manures 3000.0
5 Irrigation 7125.0
6 Plant protection 1000.0
7 Weeding 1000.0
8 Harvesting& threshing combined 2550.0
9 Total cost 30925.0
10 Yield 12 t
11 Price(Rs/t) 9000.0
12 Income (Rs/ha) 108000.0
13 Net profit (Rs/ha) 77,075.0
Table 11 – Economics of animal husbandry (Rs/annum)
Sl. No Particulars Cows ( 3No) Goats(4 No) Remarks
1 Grains(2x3x9.4) 56.4
2 Bhusa (10x3x2) 60.0
3 Green (15x3x2) 90.0
4 Mineral mixture 100.0
5 Labour 200.0
6 Total cost 506.0
7 Yield (44liters/day)
8 Price Rs 18/liters
9 Income (Rs/day) 792.0
10 Net profit (Rs/day) 286.0
11 180x286 51570.0 43200.0
12 179x34 6120.0
13 3 calves 12000.0 19000.0
14 Total 72690.0 62400.0
15 Grand total 135090.0
of Uttarakhand a lot of industry has come
up in the area . As a result, the demand for
the vegetable has increased and price of
vegetable is also quite high. Vegetable
production has to be an integral part of the
farming system( 4 )
Sugarcane +Lahi
Another important mixed crop of the area
is sugarcane + lahi. Oilseed is very
important crop in India because we are
deficient in oilseeds production. The price
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FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS JANUARY 2011
Agricultural profession has no
honour tag. It has very little demand
in marriage market. Punjab and Haryana
may be an exception. Majority of them
feel proud to be farmers. This is a great
quality. This is one of the main reasons
of the agricultural progress in these
states where governments are also profarmers.
Agriculture is now knowledge and skilled
based Managerial skilled matters a lot.
Master Nailwal loves farming from his
core of heart . He is really a farmer. He
hired needed labour who work under
his direct supervision. When he has to be
away far from his house, he normally
does not hire any labour. It is seen that
management is very crucial to get higher
yield and profit. His total income from his
small holding is quite high to run a
comfortable and high quality life in nice
and pollution free environment. India
needs to have a large number of such
farmers to maintain and sustain its food
security. The example of Master Nailwal
should act as a role model for the young
practising farmers in the country.
REFERENCES
1. Biswas, B C Fert. Marketing News 41(1)1-
2 (2010)
2. Biswas, B C Fert Marketing News 41(4) 1-
8(2010)
3.Biswas, B C Fert. Marketing News 41(5) 6-
17(2010)
4.Biswas, B C Fert Marketing News 41(6) 3-
14 (2010)
5.Biswas, B C Fert Marketing News 41(7) 3-
8 (2010)
6.Biswas, B C Fert Marketing News 41(9)
13-19, (2010)
7.Fertilser Statistics, FAI, New Delhi (2009-
10)
8. FAS, Northern Region, FAI, New Delhi
9. Kanwar J S, In Hand Book on Fert
Marketing, Published by FAI, New Delhi
(1984).
10. Randhawa, N S and Tandon, HLS Fert
News Feb 1982(1982).
11. Swarup, A Fert. News 47(2) ; 59-73
(2002).
12. Tandon, HLS, Fert News, 35(10) 43-44
(1990).
8
Just Published
INTERNATIONAL PRICES AND RELATED STATISTICS
4
TH EDITION (NOVEMBER 2010)
The fourth edition of International Prices and Related Statistics fully revised and enriched with many
new topics is available for sale. The publication covers a wealth of information, viz., world and regional
capacity, supply and projects under construction; international prices of finished fertilisers and raw materials/
intermediates; major manufacturing, importing, exporting countries; ocean freight; major ports in selected
countries, including in India with details of facilities and traffic handled; directory of port authorities, ship
operators, major international fertiliser suppliers, list of main importers in India, urea handling agencies;
etc. In addition, the publication presents procedure and guidelines for import and export; shipping
terminologies; etc.
Price per copy: Indian ‘1500
Foreign US $150
(Packing, handling, postage, etc. will be charged extra )
For your copies, please write to:
THE FERTILISER ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
FAI House, 10 Shaheed jit Singh Marg, New Delhi – 110067
Phone: 91-11-26567144
Fax: 91-11-26960052, Email: acctt@faidelhi.org
