Inauguration of first ever bio-fertilizer lab in state soon

Being the only facility in the state to examine samples of bio-fertilizer manufacturing units, the soon to be inaugurated lab will enable the officials to examine more than 3,000 samples a year whereas currently the lab is taking in only 1,100 samples.

Inspecting the ongoing works, Collector Sivarasu, said, as the people are showing interest towards organic food products across the world, the exporting of organic products are in high demand in the market and so the farmers are in a position to cultivate crops without any evidence of chemicals for availing the proper organic certification for exporting the products. “Thus the quality of the fertilizer is more important, as smaller amount of chemical in the bio-fertilizer will be enough to cancel the organic certification of the farmer,” he said.

He added that earlier the facility was operated in agriculture office in smaller level, currently with a special fund of Rs 2.77 crore, a first ever bio-fertilizer quality control centre has been constructed in Tiruchy city. Being the only facility in the state samples from across the state and also in the retail market are sent for quality control to authenticate bio-fertilizers.

According to the officials, apart from the 22 government bio-fertilizers manufacturing units in the state, even private manufacturers can also test their samples at a low cost of Rs 600. With the construction almost completed, special proposal for Rs 2 crore has been sent to the government for equipment and it would be opened soon.