Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Indiscriminate use of fertilizer and pesticides in agricultural lands in Ishwardi has resulted in loss of fertility of agricultural and non-agricultural lands in a few years. In the last three-four years, the production capacity of vegetables in cultivable land has also decreased by 12 percent.
Crop production has declined by 10 to 15 percent in most lands. This information was obtained by talking to the Upazila Agriculture Office of Soil Resources Development Institute and Soil Researchers. Excessive use of fertilizers, especially TSP and pesticides, for direct production and direct application of salt on land has created adverse conditions as the soil in different parts of Ishwardi is acid-alkaline.
Talking to some farmers of Salimpur, Sahapur, Dashuria Union of Ishwardi, it is known that the amount of crop produced in the land five-six years ago is not happening now. Disappointed with the declining soil fertility, some have reduced cultivation.
Farmers are using fertilizers, pesticides and salt in vegetable cultivation in the hope of high yields. Excessive pesticides are being applied in the morning and afternoon especially in winter vegetables like eggplant, bean, cauliflower and cabbage.
Farmers claim that they are using pesticides to protect vegetables from insect attacks and for better yields. Health experts have suggested raising awareness at the farmer and consumer level, pointing out that vegetables produced by pesticides are extremely harmful to the human body.
Abdul Latif, Additional Deputy Director, Agricultural Extension, Pabna, said, “We are working to raise awareness of farmers in various ways to avoid excessive use of pesticides.” Deputy Agriculture Officers are working to raise awareness in their respective blocks. Soil experts say the soil has lost its potency due to excessive application of TSP fertilizers and pesticides as well as salt in the hope of producing more crops. Soil acidity increases and its effect is also felt in water. As a result, fish production along with soil has also decreased.
Deputy Director Abdul Latif added that farmers are applying salt directly to the land with excessive TSP fertilizers and pesticides in the hope of increasing production. As a result, the soil is gradually losing its fertility. In order to save soil life and restore fertile energy, salt avoidance and use of fertilizers and pesticides should be reduced. Besides, the use of organic manure should be increased, he said.
Faruk Hossain, chief scientific officer of Pabna Soil Resources Development Institute, said, “We have collected soil from 156 places to test the weakness of the soil.” These are being tested. High levels of phosphorus and pH have been found in soils that have been tested. After the completion of the test, work will be started on how to improve the soil development by reviewing the report.
Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar said on Friday morning that the amount of phosphorus in the soil has increased due to farmers using a certain amount of extra TSP fertilizer for higher yields.
On the other hand, in the lands where salt has been used, the pH has increased and the yield of these lands is decreasing as the soil is alkaline. The pH level in the soil is six to seven levels tolerable. But the level of the test has exceeded eight. If this situation continues, there will never be any crop in that land.
