Strategies for Promoting Bio-Fertilizers among the Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture

Bio-fertilizers are fertilizers containing living microorganisms, which increase microbial activity in the soil. This study was conducted at randomly selected five villages of Erode district of Tamil Nadu. 100 per cent awareness of bio-fertilizers was found in that area but awareness on crop specific usage of biofertilizers was only 19 per cent. The main source of information about bio-fertilizers was the shop owners (46 per cent) and Agriculture Officers (29 per cent). Usage level of bio fertilizers was 60 per cent and the main reason for using bio fertilizers were to restore the soil fertility (34 per cent) and increase crop yield (32 per cent). Reason for not using these bio fertilizers was unaware of usage method of bio fertilizers (80 per cent). So, a step has to be taken to educate the farmers about bio-fertilizers.