Tanore: Soil scientists and experts urged grassroots farmers to adopt soil test-based fertilization practices to safeguard soil health from further degradation. They emphasized that promoting balanced fertilization is essential for boosting crop production while maintaining soil integrity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, experts highlighted the importance of educating farmers on soil test-based balanced fertilization, which could prevent fertilizer shortages in the country. The insights were shared during a field day and farmers’ gathering organized by the Divisional Office of the Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) in the Saranjai area at Tanore Upazila.
SRDI Chief Scientific Officers AKM Aminul Islam and Dr. Nurul Islam, along with Upazila Agriculture Officer Saifullah Ahmed, addressed the event as resource persons, sharing their expertise on the subject. They discussed how higher yields can be achieved by using balanced fertilizers based on soil testing and applying dolomite to manage acidic soils.
During the event, it was revealed that the research plot yielded 129.58 maunds per bigha (equivalent to 38.88 tons per hectare), surpassing the farmers’ fields, which produced 109.96 maunds per bigha (equivalent to 32.99 tons per hectare). This difference amounts to a yield increase of 5.89 tons per hectare or 17.86 percent.
The cost of fertilizer use was significantly lower in the research plots at Taka 2,093 per bigha compared to Taka 5,595 per bigha in the farmers’ plots. Research findings suggested that farmers could save Taka 3,502 by adopting recommended fertilizer practices.
By selling the additional yield, farmers could earn an extra Taka 12,165, based on the current potato market price of Taka 15.5 per kg. Consequently, the total additional profit per bigha could reach Taka 15,667. Additionally, reducing fertilizer use would enhance soil health and benefit the environment.
Dr. Nurul Islam encouraged farmers to use balanced fertilizers based on soil testing to prevent wastage and maintain soil health. Aminul Islam warned that excessive fertilization could lead to pest attacks and diseases, damaging soil fertility, reducing crop quality, and affecting market prices.
The experts called for raising awareness among farmers about the importance of using appropriate and balanced fertilizers to enhance productivity and protect public health.