Preparation and Use of Agricultural Bio Inputs

Date: 25/06/2025
Time: 11:00 AM
Expert: Ravindra Nath Shukla (TCL – Trust Community Livelihoods)

Participants : 7 organisations participated in the Clinic

Key Questions and Expert Responses:

1. How to establish Bio-Resource Centres (BRCs) individually and promote marketing?

Answer:

• Tap into government schemes available via official portals.

• Marketing support can be facilitated through existing FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) and Producer Groups.

2. How do we ensure bio-inputs contribute to nutrient restoration and beneficial bacteria in soil?

Answer:

• Bio-inputs themselves act as regulators and activators of nutrient cycles.

• They improve the efficacy of other bio and natural inputs.

3. How to ensure both productivity and quality using bio-inputs?

Answer:

• Conduct soil testing, especially for organic carbon and pH levels.

• Apply bio-inputs based on soil needs and specific crop requirements.

4. Where and how to get access to detailed soil testing?

Answer:

• While advanced testing is limited in availability, focusing on key indicators like pH and carbon content is practical.

• For more comprehensive testing, explore agri universities or government labs.

5. How to procure Inoculants and culture?

• Bacteria cultures and inoculants are available via agriculture universities and some companies.

• Currently, not feasible at SHG/PG level due to regulatory constraints.

• The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research provides pure cultures for private entrepreneurs.

• Compliance with bio-input production norms is essential if scaling commercially.

• Lokappa offered to share Package of Practices (PoPs) for various crops and their usage.

6. Can goat and poultry dung be used to create bio-inputs?

Answer:
Yes, it is viable.

Key Takeaways:

• Bio-Inputs as a Sustainable Tool: If used correctly, they restore soil health and improve microbial biodiversity.

• Importance of Localised Testing: pH and organic carbon content are practical indicators for smallholder farmers.

• Regulatory and Institutional Support Needed: Especially if production of cultures is considered at a commercial scale.

• Collaborative Learning: Experts like Lokappa and Ravindra Nath are willing to share PoPs and reference materials to support scaling.

• Role of FPOs and Government Schemes: Essential for marketing and resource mobilisation for decentralised bio-input centres.

Suggestions for the Next Clinic:

• Demonstration on how to make bio-inputs

• Exploring business models around decentralised production

• Deep dive into disease identification and application timing