Indian Biogas Association seeks funding of Rs 1,000-crore in Budget 2023

Ahead of the Union Budget, the Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has asked the government to set up a Rs 1000 crore fund to promote the use of fermented organic manure (FOM) in agriculture.

According to the association, the country generates approximately 2000 tonnes of FOM that can be used in agriculture.

The majority of government incentives are focused on the gas component of the biogas plant, but equally important is the biomass component. The government is already discussing making the purchase of biofertilizer mandatory for every bag of urea purchased by a farmer in order to promote organic nutrients and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Biogas plant-based fertilizer or FOM can be an addition to it, according to the Economic Times.

“The government may also implement policies to procure the bio-fertilizer through Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) at a predetermined price based on the nutrient components in the slurry. The FOM can then be linked to enrichment units such as Phosphate Rich Organic Manure units, and other organic enrichment plants for value addition,” the association said.