MDA-FERT

Market Development Assistance

The scheme aims to promote organic fertilizers produced at Bio-Gas and Compressed Bio-Gas plants under the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan initiative. It provides Market Development Assistance of ₹1,500/- per Metric Tonne to manufacturing and marketing entities of organic fertilizers.

Central Composite

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Chemicals And Fertilizers

Nodal department: Department Of Fertilizers

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Business & Entrepreneurship, Science, IT & Communications

Sub-categories: Research & Development, Setting up / start-up / entrepreneurship, Sales of goods, services & data protection, Exhibitions/Trade fairs/Buyer-seller meet, market development

Target beneficiaries: University / Institution, Business Entity

Tags: Manufacturer, Operator, Institute, Subsidy, Fertilizer

Details

The scheme "Market Development Assistance" was launched by the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Department of Fertilizers, and the scheme aims to promote organic fertilizers produced at plants under the umbrella Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan initiative covering various Bio-Gas and Compressed Bio-Gas support schemes. The scheme provides Market Development Assistance at ₹1,500/- per Metric Tonne for the sale of Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, and enriched Phosphate Rich Organic Manure, along with gap funding for research from a corpus of ₹3,60,00,00,000/-. The applicant must register their manufacturing units on the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan portal and market the fertilizers in conformity with the Fertilizer Control Order specifications.

Benefits

  • - Market Development Assistance of ₹1,500/- per Metric Tonne is provided for the sale of Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, and enriched Phosphate Rich Organic Manure
  • A corpus of ₹3,60,00,00,000/- is available for research gap funding, to be utilized only by Central and State Research Institutes or non-private fertilizer cooperatives
  • The total budget outlay for the scheme is ₹14,51,82,00,000/- for three years from Financial Year 2023-24 to Financial Year 2025-26. Disbursal
  • Assistance is provided only for the quantity sold through Point of Sale machines
  • Assistance claims must be generated through the Integrated Fertilizer Management System portal using Direct Benefit Transfer
  • Claims must be submitted within two months of the sale of the organic fertilizers. Conditions
  • Marketing entities must print the Maximum Retail Price along with applicable Market Development Assistance on the bags clearly
  • Any State subsidy provided on the organic fertilizers must be passed on to the farmers in terms of a lower Maximum Retail Price
  • Each bag must display its constituents as given in the Fertilizer Control Order, the marketing entities' names, the manufacturer's name, and shelf-life
  • Marketing entities must ensure that any sale above the printed net Maximum Retail Price is avoided, as it is punishable under the Essential Commodities Act
  • Market Development Assistance of ₹1,500/- per Metric Tonne is provided for the sale of Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, and enriched Phosphate Rich Organic Manure.
  • A corpus of ₹3,60,00,00,000/- is available for research gap funding, to be utilized only by Central and State Research Institutes or non-private fertilizer cooperatives.
  • The total budget outlay for the scheme is ₹14,51,82,00,000/- for three years from Financial Year 2023-24 to Financial Year 2025-26.
Disbursal
  • Assistance is provided only for the quantity sold through Point of Sale machines.
  • Assistance claims must be generated through the Integrated Fertilizer Management System portal using Direct Benefit Transfer.
  • Claims must be submitted within two months of the sale of the organic fertilizers.
Conditions
  • Marketing entities must print the Maximum Retail Price along with applicable Market Development Assistance on the bags clearly.
  • Any State subsidy provided on the organic fertilizers must be passed on to the farmers in terms of a lower Maximum Retail Price.
  • Each bag must display its constituents as given in the Fertilizer Control Order, the marketing entities' names, the manufacturer's name, and shelf-life.
  • Marketing entities must ensure that any sale above the printed net Maximum Retail Price is avoided, as it is punishable under the Essential Commodities Act.

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be a manufacturing-cum-marketing entity, a Compressed Bio-Gas operator, a Bio-gas operator, a marketer, or a distributor under the umbrella Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan initiative.
  • The applicant must be a Fertilizer Marketing Company marketing their organic fertilizers.
  • The applicant must produce organic fertilizers at Bio-Gas or Compressed Bio-Gas plants established under the umbrella Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan initiative.
  • The applicant must ensure the Bio-Gas or Compressed Bio-Gas plants are supported under initiatives like the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme, the Waste to Energy programme, or the Swachh Bharat Mission.
  • The applicant must register the Bio-Gas or Compressed Bio-Gas units with the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan portal of the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation as a pre-requisite condition.
  • The applicant must market Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, or enriched Phosphate Rich Organic Manure.
  • The applicant must market the organic fertilizers in packed form.
  • The applicant must ensure the organic fertilizers conform to the specifications mentioned in the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.
  • The applicant must undergo quality testing at Government notified laboratories or National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accredited private laboratories.
Relaxations
  • The applicant may market the fertilizers in bulk or loose form on an experimental basis subject to necessary notifications by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies may be engaged as aggregators by the Fertilizers Marketing Companies or manufacturers, wherever feasible.
Post-Selection Conditions
  • The applicant must maintain records of a permanent nature in continuity year after year.
  • The applicant must make all permanent records available to the Department of Fertilizers or the Fertilizer Flying Squad for audit and verification.

Application Process

Online

Registration Process

Step 1: Accessing the Portal for Pre-requisite Registration
The applicant must access the Unified Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan portal of the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation to register their Bio-Gas or Compressed Bio-Gas manufacturing units.
Step 2: Submitting Details for Registration
The applicant must submit all necessary plant and operational details on the portal to obtain the mandatory registration number required to avail the assistance.

Application Process

Step 3: Intimation of Willingness to the Department
The applicant must submit a physical letter intimating their willingness to market the organic fertilizers to the Department of Fertilizers.
Step 4: Submission of Annexures
The applicant must attach the required operational details as per Annexure-I (for Fertilizer Marketing Companies) or Annexure-II (for Manufacturers) along with the intimation letter for formal approval.
Step 5: Registration on the Integrated Fertilizer Management System Portal
The applicant must register on the newly introduced module on the Integrated Fertilizer Management System portal where the Department of Fertilizers will allot a unique identification number to the manufacturing units.
Step 6: Uploading Operational Data
The applicant must use the allotted identification number to upload the quantity of organic fertilizers produced, data relating to sales, Maximum Retail Price, remaining stock, and quality certificates on the Integrated Fertilizer Management System portal.

Post-Application Processes

Step 7: Quality Testing and Certification
The applicant must ensure batch-wise or dispatch-wise quality testing at accredited laboratories and get the test reports validated by the State Agriculture Department or State Energy Development Agency to receive the 'B2-MDA' certificate.
Step 8: Generating Benefit Claims
The applicant must generate Direct Benefit Transfer claims through the Integrated Fertilizer Management System portal using the prescribed Annexure within two months from the month of sale.
Step 9: Submission of Claim Documentation
The applicant must submit a copy of the Quality Certificate along with the claim for Market Development Assistance payment for that particular month to the Department of Fertilizers to receive the financial disbursement.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

To be eligible to receive the financial assistance for promoting organic fertilizers, what specific online registration must I complete beforehand?
You must register your Bio-Gas or Compressed Bio-Gas units on the unified Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan portal managed by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. <br>
If I want to ensure my organic manure qualifies for the monetary support, where should I get the mandatory quality testing conducted?
Quality testing must be ensured at laboratories notified by the Government or private laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. <br>
I represent a private fertilizer cooperative and want to apply for the research and development financial support; am I eligible to access this specific funding?
No, the ₹3,60,00,00,000/- corpus for research and gap funding can only be utilized by Central or State Research Institutes and non-private fertilizer cooperatives. <br>
Which exact types of organic fertilizers must my manufacturing plant produce to be considered eligible for the financial support of ₹1,500/- per Metric Tonne?
You must produce Fermented Organic Manure, Liquid Fermented Organic Manure, or enriched Phosphate Rich Organic Manure as by-products of your registered plants. <br>
After getting my fertilizer products tested at an accredited laboratory, who must validate the resulting quality test report before I can proceed?
The quality test report must be validated by the State Agriculture Department or the State Energy Development Agency before they can issue the required certification. <br>
What are my ongoing obligations regarding the documentation and maintenance of operational records once I am selected to receive the promotional funding?
You are required to maintain permanent records in continuity year after year and make them available for audit or verification when requested by authorized agencies. <br>
How must I execute the sales of my eligible organic manure products to ensure I can successfully claim the financial disbursement later?
The financial support is permitted only for the precise quantity of fertilizers that are successfully sold to farmers through official Point of Sale machines. <br>
Once I have successfully sold my approved organic manure products, within what precise timeframe must I submit my claim to receive the monetary benefit?
You are required to generate and submit your direct benefit transfer claims within exactly two months from the month the product was sold. <br>
When packaging my approved organic manure for retail sale, what specific pricing and promotional details am I legally required to print on the bags?
You must clearly print the Maximum Retail Price along with the applicable promotional assistance amount on each package to ensure complete transparency for the buyers. <br>
If my manufacturing entity chooses to market the organic manure exclusively in packed form, how frequently must the quality testing be conducted?
When marketing your products in a packed format, you must ensure that a quality test is meticulously carried out for every single batch produced. <br>
Apart from the pricing details, what other mandatory manufacturing and product information must be visibly displayed on every bag of the eligible manure?
Each bag must prominently display its constituents, the names of the marketing entities, the manufacturer&#39;s name, and the product&#39;s exact shelf-life. <br>
Under which specific national initiatives or programs must my biogas plant be supported to ensure I meet the core manufacturing eligibility criteria?
Your plant must be supported under initiatives like the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation, the Waste to Energy programme, or the Swachh Bharat Mission. <br>
What specific national regulatory standards must my manufactured organic manure products adhere to in order to qualify for the promotional funding?
Your products must be in strict conformity with the quality specifications mentioned in the Fertilizer Control Order of 1985, along with any subsequent amendments. <br>
What specific types of business operations or corporate entities are formally permitted to apply for the promotional funding for organic fertilizers?
Manufacturing-cum-marketing entities, Compressed Bio-Gas operators, Bio-gas operators, marketers, distributors, and established Fertilizer Marketing Companies are formally eligible to participate. <br>

References

Guidelines
https://fert.gov.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20on%20Market%20Development%20Assistance%20(MDA)%20for%20Promotion%20of%20Organic%20Fertilizers%20-%20Regarding%20(20-09-2023)_0.pdf

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Market Development Assistance?
Market Development Assistance is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, University / Institution, Business Entity through benefits related to Business & Entrepreneurship, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Market Development Assistance?
Eligibility for Market Development Assistance may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Market Development Assistance?
Benefits under Market Development Assistance may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Market Development Assistance?
Market Development Assistance is managed by Department Of Fertilizers and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Market Development Assistance?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Market Development Assistance through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Market Development Assistance?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Market Development Assistance?
Applications for Market Development Assistance may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Market Development Assistance?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is Market Development Assistance a central government scheme?
Yes, Market Development Assistance is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Does Market Development Assistance provide business loan or startup assistance?
Market Development Assistance may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
Is collateral required under Market Development Assistance?
Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Market Development Assistance?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Market Development Assistance?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Market Development Assistance?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Market Development Assistance in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Market Development Assistance applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.