Punjab completes three-lab network to check bio-fertiliser quality
DP, Mohali, October 13
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Tuesday inaugurated a bio-fertiliser testing laboratory at Kalkat Bhawan, SAS Nagar, completing a three-laboratory network set up across the state at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore to ensure the supply of quality agricultural inputs to farmers.
The other two laboratories are located in Gurdaspur and Bathinda.
“These laboratories will ensure that farmers get certified and effective products, protect them from spurious inputs and help reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers,” Khudian said after the inauguration.
He said the laboratories would also help enforce the Fertiliser Control Order, monitor manufacturers and dealers, and generate data to develop bio-fertiliser strains suited to Punjab’s agro-climatic conditions.
Punjab contributes over 30 per cent of the country’s wheat and rice production, the minister said, stressing the need for sustainable farming and improved soil health. He added that organic farming, which focuses on quality agricultural production and conservation of natural resources, was emerging as a viable alternative to input-intensive agriculture.
Khudian said Punjab had around 30,000 acres under certified organic cultivation in 2025-26. The state’s annual consumption of bio-fertilisers is estimated at 15,000-16,000 MT/KL and is steadily increasing, making quality testing increasingly important.
The three laboratories will help prevent the sale of substandard products, ensure regulatory compliance and promote organic farming, while reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and supporting long-term environmental sustainability, he added.
Dera Bassi MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Additional Secretary Agriculture Latif Ahmed and Director Agriculture Gurjit Singh Brar were also present at the inauguration.
