BANGLADESH should take serious steps to stop adulteration of fertilizers as substandard agricultural input decreases yields and increases the cost of farming. The issue dominated discussion at a roundtable on balanced use of fertilizer along with organic fertilizer, held in the city recently. An English daily reported that the participants at the roundtable have laid emphasis on strong monitoring to check the quality of imported potassium, potash and phosphate fertilizers at the stage of storage and distribution as they believe such adulteration is taking place inside the country in the distribution channel. It is said that there are areas in Bogra, Jessore and Jhenaidah where people carry out adulteration of fertilizer at midnight and wrap up activities before the dawn. It seems everyone knows where adulteration is happening.
Agriculture is the driving force of Bangladesh economy. It comprises 16 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Of the agricultural income, crop agriculture alone accounts for 55 percent. But the boost to farm yield would be crucial in the coming years as the country loses 0.66 percent of farmland to mainly non-farm uses. In this background proper use of farmland with pure and balanced fertilizers is a must to continue achieving healthy harvest.
We should remember that the era of single fertilizer is long gone, as new crops have arrived and that also requires combination of fertilizers. Crop plants require 16 nutrient elements for their optimum growth, development and yield. But most of the farmers are not using any micronutrient like copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, Zinc, boron; because of their high price and lack of motivation. Mixed fertilizer is very good in terms of balanced fertilization. It was widely accepted by the farmers in the early 2000s. But farmers have turned their face from it due to serious adulteration and mixed fertilizer is now almost out of market, because none is interested to try it.
So, contaminated fertilizers have been creating serious threat to our agriculture. If the process continues, fertility of the soil would be highly affected and we may proceed to a point of no return. Therefore government should strengthen its monitoring as adulteration of fertilizers must stop ultimately. To stop this menace serious efforts are needed. We must remember that agriculture is lifeline of our economy. Fertility of soil in Bangladesh is very high. So using imbalanced and adulterated fertilizers should not destroy it. Proper use of organic fertilizer is also an important factor for agriculture. Its increased use also should be encouraged.
