The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a discussion here on Thursday called for ensuring optimum use of chemical fertilisers and insecticides in agriculture fields to protect the health of soil and its nutrients from degradation.

In this context, they said lesser use of organic manure and little or no use of leguminous green manure and bio-fertilisers have been found as a factor to degrade or decline the soil nutrients to an alarming level everywhere in the region.

Apart from this, they viewed that disproportionate use of adulterated and low quality chemical fertilisers and harmful pesticides has been creating a negative nutrient balance due to the massive introduction of high yielding varieties of different crops and vegetables.

Soil test based fertilization has also become indispensable to build and maintain soil properties positive to growth along with keeping the sound environment of surroundings of soil like airspace, pond and river, they added.

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) with financial assistance from Manusher Jonnya Foundation organized the workshop titled "Misuse of insecticides and chemical fertilizers: Negative Impact on Environment and to Overcome the Problem" at Hotel Aristocrat.

Associate Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman of Agronomy and Agricultural Department of Rajshahi University presented a keynote paper on the topic highlighting various demerits of using the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

In his address of welcome, BELA Field Manager Tonmy Sanyal highlighted the aspects of balanced fertilization with Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension Braja Hari Das in the chair.

Principal Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute Dr Samajit Kumar Pal, Senior Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Institute Alim Uddin, Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute Shakhawat Hossain disseminated their expertise on the occasion.

The speakers said if the present soil mismanagement practices prolong, there is a chance of permanent yield decline and soil degradation.

So, they added, appropriate measures should be taken to sustain the soil productivity and underscored the need for popularising the soil-test based fertiliser application among the farmers.

"We have no way to promote the soil test-based fertiliser recommendations among the farmers to resist the adverse effect of climate change," Dr Mustafizur Rahman said adding that the system can give most balanced fertilisation which will ensure maximum/optimum output with minimum input.

The speakers said optimum level of organic manure is a must for building and maintaining positive soil properties and normal soil ecosystem that supports plant growth, which is also imperative for creating a positive soil environment from which plants can uptake nutrients from applied chemical fertilisers.

Besides, they said, it also act as the storehouse of nutrient elements and produces all plant nutrient elements both macro and micro in environmental way.

They said organic manure improves the chemical and physical properties of soil like its structure by acting as binding agent and the good structure enhances a favorable air- water status of soil from which plant and micro-organisms can take air, water and nutrient elements.

Likewise, input and output balance of plant nutrient elements should be equal for maintaining the nutrient status of the soil.

Taking part in the open discussion, among others, journalists Akbarul Hassan Millat and Sarder Anisur Rahman, former divisional coordinator of BELA Advocate Sayeed Ahmed Kabir and NGO leader Shalahuddin called for taking stern action against the fertilisers smugglers, adulterators and farmer exploiters along with ensuring a farmers-friendly atmosphere.

Over 60 agriculturists, researchers, farmers, NGO-workers and journalists attended the discussion.