D. Kalaivanan

Utilization of Enriched Pressmud Compost in Rice Cultivation: for Increasing Rice Production, Improving Soil Health and Reducing Usage of Inorganic Fertilizers D. Kalaivanan

India is the largest consumer and second producer of sugar in the world, with over 450 sugar factories located throughout the country. The sugar industry is amongst the largest agro-processing industries in India with average sugar production of about 176.75 lakhs tonnes with an annual turnover of Rs. 150 billion. The pressmud and molasses are industrial byproducts of sugarcane industry in India, and the production is respectively to the tune of 7.0 and 7.5 Mt annually. The value of pressmud as an organic manure has been well recognized for utilizing in agriculture, as it contains valuable plant nutrients in organic form besides being a very effective soil ameliorant. Rice is the most important food crop accounting for 29 per cent of total calorie intake of the people in developing countries. The theme of the International Year of Rice 2004 - Rice is life ? reflects the importance of rice as an essential for food security, poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods.