Balanced use of fertilisers could save Tk 20,000 crore annually
23 March 2023
Business Report :
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.
