Balanced use of fertilisers could save Tk 20,000 crore annually

Balanced use of fertilisers could increase crop production by 8 to 14 per cent and save Tk 20,000 crore annually in Bangladesh, according to researchers.

The researchers shared the information at a programme titled "Fertiliser Policy Dialogue" at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) at Farmgate in Dhaka yesterday, according to a press release. 

They said in the past, the government gave subsidies of about Tk 8,000 crore for fertiliser every year and now the amount has been increased to more than Tk 30,000 crore owing to the price hike in the international market.

Speaking at the dialogue, the panellists also urged the farmers and other stakeholders to use fertilisers moderately and cautiously.

Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akhtar said that the government has decided to increase the use of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser and reduce the use of fertiliser.

"But it is seen that the use of urea is increasing day by day. The use of DAP is also increasing. This leads to wastage of fertilisers and increases the cost of importing fertilisers."

She said if one kilogramme of DAP is applied, the use of fertiliser will go down by 400 grammes. "In this case, there is no need to use triple superphosphate (TSP) fertiliser."

So, farmers should be interested in the balanced use of fertilisers in crop cultivation, Akhtar said.

The government is implementing a project titled "Nutrient Management for Diversified Cropping in Bangladesh" on research and management of the moderate use of fertilisers.

Richard W Bell, a professor at Australia's Murdoch University, and also the leader of the project, presented the keynote paper where he illustrated how farmers can benefit from the balanced use of fertilisers.

"If farmers ensure the balanced use of fertilisers, the production of paddy will be increased by more than 75 lakh tonnes per year. The total annual profit will be Tk 20,504 crore," he said.

BARC Executive Chairman Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Prof Lutful Hasan, Agricultural Research Foundation Executive Director Jiban Krishna Biswas, and Directorate of Agricultural Extension Director General Badal Chandra Biswas were also present at the event.