Policy for balanced use of fertilisers stressed
Some agriculturists yesterday stressed the need for policy interventions and creating awareness among farmers in Bangladesh to ensure balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilisers to maintain soil fertility.
They cautioned on the rapid depletion of organic matter in soil due to imbalanced use of chemical fertilisers and high cropping intensity.
They were speaking at a seminar styled “Soil fertility, raising awareness on the use of balanced fertiliser and role of media” at Dhaka Reporters' Unity organised by Centre for Media and Communication Studies (CMCS).
Over 50 stakeholders, including agriculturalists, present and former agro-research executives, seed and fertiliser producers of private sector, marketing representatives and newsmen specialising in agriculture attended the seminar.
Keynote of the seminar said against the standard level of 3 percent organic content required in healthy soils, most farmlands now contain only 1 to 1.5 percent.
Speakers drew government attention to subsidise organic fertilisers to bring a balance in application of inorganic and organic nutrients.
Addressing the seminar, Prof Dr Bahadur Miah of Bangladesh Agricultural University said farmers should be trained on maintaining a balance in the use of fertilisers. "Such balance can protect soil fertility and increase produce."
He also emphasised on conducting more research to fix cropping zones for optimum utilisation of farmland.
Dr Shahidul Islam, former director general of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, said not only farmers but also stakeholders should be trained for proper management of this sector.
About media role, he said newsmen should disseminate agriculture related information in simple language so that farmers can easily understand it.
Former director general of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Dr Firoz Shah Sikder focused on narrowing the gap between experts, media and farmers for the sector's development.
The organisers said the seminar's recommendations would be forwarded to the concerned ministry.
BFA Chairman Salauddin Ahmed, CMCS Chairman Sohel Manzur, FIDA President Kawser Rahman and General Secretary Khwaza Mainuddin also spoke.
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