NITI Aayog’s Task Force Report

• 11 Mar 2023

On March 10, 2023, NITI Aayog released Task Force Report, titled“Production and Promotion of Organic and Bio fertilisers with Special Focus on Improving Economic Viability of Gaushalas”, to suggest measures for making gaushalas economically viable.

• Area under organic farming: The current area under organic farming in India is estimated to be 38.09 lakh hectares.
• Regulation: Organic and biofertilisers in India are regulated under the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order (FCO), 1985, by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Approved fertilisers: Currently, 11 biofertilisers and 10 organic fertilisers are approved for use in India under FCO.
• Government target: The Government of India aims to bring an additional 10 lakh hectares under organic farming in the next 3 years, which will require the use of biofertilisers and other organic inputs.
• Significance of the report: It is expected to further the waste to wealth initiative by promoting sustainable agriculture practices and organic farming through the use of cow dung and urine-based agri-inputs.
• By improving the economic viability of gaushalas and addressing the problem of stray and abandoned cattle, the report aims to create a win-win situation for both farmers and gaushalas.