Organic fertiliser to boost carbon content in soil

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 5

On the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote zero budget natural farming, scientists of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) here have started the production of an organic fertiliser, “Ghan Jeevaamrit”, consisting of cow dung and urine of indigenous breed, water, jaggery, soil and gram flour.

NDRI Director Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan claimed that it was a rich source of carbon which could increase the carbon content from 0.2 per cent to 0.9 per cent. The NDRI will also give training to interested farmers free of cost in coming days.

“It has been observed that due to excessive use of fertilisers the natural carbon content in the soil goes down to less than 0.2 per cent, which is not a good sign. By using this “Ghan Jeevaamriit” we have observed that it goes up to 0.9 per cent,” the Director maintained while interacting with The Tribune after launching this fertiliser.

Not only this, it will also help in multiplication of beneficial microbes in the soil by manifolds, he added. The Prime Minister has given the call for zero budget natural farming recently, after which a team of scientists of NDRI led by Dr Ashutosh has started work on this project and now they have produced the organic fertiliser, which will be available at Rs 10 per kg for the general public. “We have started the packing in both liquid and solid and will be available at NDRI,” the Director maintained.

Dr Chauhan said it would also enhance the population of the earthworm soil which was ultimately useful in improving the nutritive value of the soil, which further helped in the growth of plant.

“If farmers utilise it, with zero fertilizer input, the organic crops will be produced,” said Dr Ashutosh.

“We mixed all ingredients together and kept them for eight to nine days for the multiplication of useful microbes,” he added.

It is good for kitchen gardening also, he maintained.

‘Ghan Jeevaamrit’ production has begun

The National Dairy Research Institute, here, have started the production of an organic fertiliser, “Ghan Jeevaamrit” consisting of cow dung and urine of indigenous breed, water, jaggery, soil and gram flour.

Carbon content goes up with its use

It has been observed that due to excessive use of fertilisers the natural carbon content in the soil goes down to less than 0.2 per cent, which is not a good sign. By using this “Ghan Jeevaamriit” we have observed that it goes up to 0.9 per cent. — Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, director, NDRI