Agriculture commissionerate officials here said the move was part of the state government policy of creating an "export-lead" increase in production. Indian agri-produce, heavily dependent on chemical fertilisers, is unacceptable in international markets which are increasingly stressing the use of eco-friendly and organic, methods.

These officials pointed to the rising cost of production which makes agriculture a loss making activity were it not for the subsidies. At present, cost of production in the state ranges between Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per hectare, with subsidies. Using bio-fertilisers, officials are confident of halving this over the next five years.

The state uses 2,000 tons of bio fertiliser annually, as against 34 lakh tons of chemical. It has already distributed 4 lakhpouches, weighing 250 grammes each, under the national oil seeds and pulses programme. The state government contributes 25 per cent to the programme while the centre contributes the balance 75 per cent.

The move to increase the use of bio fertilisers is linked with the state government's scheme of increasing the use of bio-pesticides. This has been prompted by a spectacular increase in its use, from 4,000 tons to 6,000 tons, in the past four years, achieved through the centre's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme. The recent spate of suicides, especially by cotton farmers hit by boll worm disease, has prompted the state government to examine a methode used by Tamil Nadu government which involves women. Under the programme, women will be encouraged to develop HNPV, a virus which attacks the boll worm. Funds for the entire pesticide programme will be made available through the National Watershed Development Programme (NWDP).

Another project the agriculture department is planning to undertake is toset up small laboratories at every watershed village where soil and seed testing can be carried out, in additon to the 50 already existing.

Maharashtra has over 8,000 such villages while the cost of setting up each laboratory is Rs. 50,000.