This document discusses the production of bio-fertilizers. It begins by defining bio-fertilizers as living microorganisms that promote plant growth when applied to seeds, plants or soil. It then lists several benefits of bio-fertilizers such as being environmentally friendly, economical compared to chemical fertilizers, and increasing soil nitrogen fixation capacity. The document estimates future demand for bio-fertilizers and notes a large gap between current production capacity and requirements. It also outlines the major types of bio-fertilizers and provides details on the production process for rhizobium, including culture selection, mass multiplication, carrier sterilization, and quality control. Finally, it discusses marketing and financial considerations for a

1. PRODUCTION
OF
BIO-FERTILIZERSBy:
Abhijeet Verma

2. Biofertilizer is a substance which contains
living microorganisms which, when applied
to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, promotes
growth by increasing the supply or
availability of primary nutrients to the host
plant.

3. Environment friendly pose no danger to environment
Shown advantage over chemical fertilizer
Economical as compared to chemical fertilizer
Increases Nitrogen fixation capacity of soil
Replaces 25-30% of chemical fertilizer
Leads to increase in productivity

4. Currently Bio-fertilizer is used as a supplement to chemical fertilizer
As 25% of requirements for chemical fertilizer can be replaced by bio-
fertilizer the coming demand of Bio-fertilizer can be estimated to be 27.3
lac MT for achieving the target production of 321 million tonnes of food
grain by 2020.
Current installed production capacity for production is 86078 MT
Huge gap between requirement and production

5. Types Of Bio Fertilizer
• Rhizobium
• Azotobacter
• Azospirillum
• Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms(PSM)
• Azolla
• Vesicular – Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM)

6. OUTLINE FOR COMMERCIAL RHIZOBIUM MANUFACTURE OF BIO-
FERTILIZER
1. Culture selection and maintenance.
2. Culture Augmentation or Mass Multiplication.
3. Carrier Sterilization

7. CULTURE SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE
• The pure mother cultures of various strains are being maintained in
Agricultural Universities, IARI, some ICAR institutions, Regional biofertilizer
labs of MOA, etc.
• International sources of supply also like NifTAL, IRRI etc.
• The mother culture in test tubes of desired strain can be purchased from
the identified sources.
• They have to be further sub-cultured and maintained purely for mass
production by adopting standard techniques under the supervision of
trained microbiologist.

8. CULTURE AUGMENTATION OR MASS MULTIPLICATION
The culture has to be mass multiplied in two levels namely
(i) At primary level using shakers in flasks, and;
(ii) Secondary stage multiplication in fermenters.
• In case of Rhizobium, molasses could serve as a superior source for rhizobial
growth.
• Liquid malt extract could be ranked in the list and the third one was medium
having sucrose mannitol in combination.
• Similarly, compositions for growth media are available for other cultures.

9. • After the media is formulated and sterilized in fermenter,
• It is inoculated using the shorter cultures multiplied in the flasks at
definite ratios usually 5%.
• The bacteria growing medium is called BROTH and it is continuously
aerated by passing sterile air from compressors.
• After about 3-4 days fermentation period,
• The broth will be ready for packing in a carrier material.
• At various stages the quality is tested by drawing samples.

10. Carrier Sterilization
• While the broth is getting ready in the fermenter the
carrier material, which is usually the carbon source for the
cultures to survive, is sterilized in autoclaves and kept
ready for mixing the broth.
• For preparation of seed inoculant, the carrier material is
milled to fine powder with particle size of 10-40 μm.

11. Properties of a good carrier material for seed inoculation
• Non-toxic to inoculant bacterial strain
• Good moisture absorption capacity
• Easy to process and free of lump-forming materials
• Easy to sterilize by autoclaving or gamma-irradiation
• Inexpensive
• Good adhesion to seeds
• Good ph buffering capacity, and;
• Non-toxic to plant

12. Flow Chart For Commercial
ProductionSTOCK
CULTURE
BROTH
BROTH IN BIG
FLASK FOR
CULTURING
FERMENTATIO
N FOR LARGE
SCALE
PRODUCTION
BROTH
QUALITY
CHECK
BLENDED
WITH
STERILIZED
CAREER
PACKAGING
QUALITY
CHECK AFTER
DIFFERENT
DURATION

13. Mothe
r
Cultur
e
Broth
Broth in
small
flask
Broth in big
flask or
bottles
Broth quality
checking
The broth
is blended
with
sterilized
carrier
Packaging
in
polythene
bags
25°C curing in controlled
temperature rooms
Peat culture quality
checking
4°C storage in low
temperature rooms
DISPATCH TO
FARMERS
Fermenters for large
scale production
Production cycle of bio fertilizer

14. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
PRE
EXECUTION
MARKETING
POST
EXECUTION
MARKETING

15. PRE EXECUTION MARKETING
• Area Identification
• Mass Campaigning
• Village Meeting
• Targeting of potential farmers

16. POST EXECUTION MARKETING
• Publicity
• Mega Farmers Meeting
• Product Display
• Demonstration
• Advertising
• Field Demonstration & Training

17. CAPACITY UTILIZATION &
SALES
1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year
Production
Capacity per
Annum 150 150 150 150 150
Capacity
Utilization 20% 40% 70% 90% 90%
Annual Sales 30 60 105 135 135
Annual Sales
value 945000 1890000 3307500 4252500 4252500

18. Own Capital (25%) 17
Bank Loan (50%) 34
Government Subsidy (25%)* 17
Total Capital Required 68
*Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme for Commercial Production Units of Organic Inputs under National Project on
Organic Farming for each unit of Bio fertilizer will be provided with a subsidy @25% of the capital cost of the
project subject to a ceiling of Rs40 lakh. So, as per the scheme the unit is entitled for the subsidy to the tune of Rs
17 lakhs.

19. Capital Cost of The Project
S.no. Particulars Estimated Cost (in lakhs)
1. Land Leveling 0.8
2. Civil Structures 15
3. Plant and Machinery 25
4. Other Fixtures 18
5. Preliminary and Pre-op. Expenses 3
6. Other Miscellaneous Expenses 6.2
TOTAL 68

20. BREAK-EVEN ANALYSIS
(2,000,000)
(1,000,000)
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
1 2 3 4 5 6
Breakeven Analysis Chart
Fixed costs Total costs Total sales Net profit (loss)

21. Thank You