Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has suggested that the government should rope in state-owned fertiliser marketing companies to ensure off-take of fermented organic manure to boost the sector.

Talking to PTI in an interaction, IBA Chairman Gaurav Kedia said, “Present production of FOM (fermented organic manure) in the country roughly stands at 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTA), with an increased potential of up to 7 MMTA with present and upcoming 570 plants, which can serve almost a state like Rajasthan for its fertiliser demand”.

He informed that as per our latest data, there are around 97 functional CBG (compressed biogas) plants with an average production of 7.5 TPD (tonne per day) CBG and 30 TPD FOM per plant.

There are estimated production of the FOM of around 1 million tonnes per annum, with a higher potential of up to 7 million tonnes per annum.

Presently, he said, there are 570 CBG plants, with 165 plants under construction, which are expected to be completed by this financial year and 405 plants yet to start construction.

To support biogas producers and encourage organic farming, the government should consider roping in Fertilizer Marketing Companies (PSUs) for the off-take and distribution of Fermented Organic Manure (a product of biogas plant),” he said.

The Department of Fertilizers must ensure that these companies (like IFFCO, KRIBHCO and NFL) provide adequate support for the co-marketing of FOM alongside chemical fertilisers through their dealer networks and other marketing channels, Kedia suggested.

The ministry should mandate that these companies issue an expression of interest (EOI) for the registration of FOM producers and the off-take from both centralised and decentralised biogas/bio-CNG plants, as per the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) for solid and liquid FOM, he said.

These companies should be linked at the root level to facilitate the application process for corresponding FOM producers within a specific geographical area, he noted.

Given that FOM has 2 per cent NPK content and 70 per cent moisture content, the current production of 1 million metric tonnes of FOM can supply 6,000 tonnes of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) supplements, he explained.