Farmers to use fertilisers based on soil

GADAG

Imbalanced use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture is having a negative impact on soil health and agricultural productivity. According to the IFMS reports of the Fertilisers Department of the Government of India, there has been a sharp increase in the use of chemical fertilisers in the last five years. Due to this, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash use is becoming unbalanced. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash that should be in the district is 4:2:1, but due to the unbalanced use of chemical fertilisers, it is 7.44:4.31:1.0. To solve the problem of excessive use of chemical fertilisers, farmers have been requested to increase the use of organic fertilisers.

According to the Central Ground Water Board's 2024 report, groundwater is polluted due to excessive use of nitrogenous chemical fertilisers, and groundwater in about 443 districts is contaminated with excessive nitrates. According to the World Health Organisation, the nitrate content in water is limited to a maximum of 45 mg/l, and out of 345 water samples analysed in Karnataka in 2023, 169 samples (48.99%) were found to have nitrate content >45 mg/l. Consumption of such water is having adverse effects on human health, especially the health of infants. (Blue Baby Syndrome) There is an urgent need for regulatory measures to prevent further nitrate pollution and ensure safe drinking water quality. Nitrate pollution should be prevented by reducing/balancing the use of chemical fertilisers.

Farmers should use fertilisers based on soil test, only if the crops require it.  The use of fertilisers and more use of organic fertilisers has been requested. The Joint Director of Agriculture said in a statement that sustainable and balanced fertiliser use, application of alternative fertilisers, organic farming, etc. should be followed.