Chandigarh, Jan. 26 -- A Fazilka-based agro based company has procured a patent for manufacturing fermented organic manure (FOM) from paddy straw that will cut down the usage of chemical fertiliser. According to Sampurn Agri Ventures that has developed the alternative manure, it is more efficient compared to conventional composted manure as just 1 kg of FOM is equal to 5-kg conventional manure.

Further blending the FOM with microbes can improve nutrient use efficiency, thereby reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers, pesticides and fungicides, it stated. "Another advantage of composting is recovery of biogas which can be easily converted to either electric power or vehicle fuel. One tonne of paddy straw gives 250 cubic meter of bioga...