Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that optimal and balanced use of fertilizers and micro-nutrients in agriculture is the need of the hour. He said excessive use of fertilizers deteriorates soil fertility. <br />'' <br />'' Mr Tomar was speaking at a fertilizer application awareness programme jointly organized by Agriculture Ministry and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in New Delhi today. He said farmers must utilize bio-fertilizers to enhance the health of soil, resulting in high yield of agri-produce. <br />'' <br />'' Mr Tomar said, agricultural activities have great contribution in the country's GDP but in the last few years, there has been a decline in it. He said, there is a need to increase the contribution from 14 per cent to 50 per cent.  <br />'' <br />'' Speaking on the occasion, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said the awareness programme will benefit farmers.<br />