Nimapada, Feb 19: Dr Subhasisa Bal of Nimapada area in Puri district of Odisha is farming blue green algae (BGA) in 50 acres of land.
He is distributing the BGA to local farmers free of cost and preserving it in power form for years.
"I ventured into BGA farming in 2015. Farmers are purchasing BGA at Rs 200 per kg from me. I am exporting it to Bangladesh, Srilanka, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal", said Dr Bal.
It is being used as an alternative to fertilisers. It is available in power form in the market. The farmers can use it 4 kg in the first year per one acre of paddy cultivation and 3 to 2 kg the next year. The amount will decrease with increase of fertility of the land, he added.
One kg BGA power can be added with 20 to 30 kg paddy seeds after sprouting or during seeding. It will spread in the farm land after coming in contact with water and live till water persists. The BGA life ends towards the end of October with drying of land, Dr Bal said.
