Chemical fertilizers

                                                 

 Chemical fertilisers are materials of synthetic origin containing mainly three macro nutrients-     Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(k). The desirable ratio for N-P-K is 4:2:1. 

                                                                       Bad?

1. Widespread use leads to imbalance in soil, eroding soil nature and quality, making it unfit to be used      for agricultural purposes in long run.

2. According to a study in Delhi based centre for science and environment, the use of fertilizers (that          contain Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) in Indian states have chemicals highly skewed towards     Nitrogen(ex- 31.4:8:1 in Punjab) that cause lot of imbalance in soil nutrients. 

3. Moreover, the micronutrients such as copper, zinc, manganese, sulphur, iron, etc are not taken care of,     leading to considerable reductions in soil properties which affects plant growth ,causes plant physiological disorders, and reduction in productivity resulting in loss to farmers, thereby defeating the very purpose of its use.

4..Unfortunately, even with their recommended/desirable use , it causes deficiency in micro and secondary nutrients  which causes deleterious effect on soil health in long term.

5. It does not stop to reducing soil properties and affecting plants/crops and humans only. The excessive nitrogen , gets drained with rainwater water and mixes with water bodies both on the ground and underground through seepage. This disturbs the water quality and makes it unfit for drinking for any living creature. No wonder ,in states of Punjab , Haryana and west U.P the nitrate concentrations in shallow  bore-wells and dug wells exceed far beyond the safe levels prescribed by WHO.

6. More than just drinking water , it causes excessive strain on the flora and fauna in water bodies. It leads to water pollution and causes problems ranging from algal blooms to causing death of many species. This takes a heavy toll on ecological balance and contributes to climate change.

7. Chemical fertilizers are currently the major emitters of N2O which is a greenhouse gas and causes ozone depletion. 

              In short, it affects basically the entire ecosystem, from land to water to air quality. 

                                                                           Good? 

The only good that I can see is its role in increasing the GDP as fertilizer industries employ and impact a lot of people, from those working in fertilizer plants to those selling it and to the farmers in short run. 

Well, GDP doesn't care about the purpose and impact of a process. It's only concerned about the money fetched by any process . 

                                                                Who is responsible? 

1. Unaware farmers , high pricing of organic fertilizers and lack of knowledge to different types of farming or the process of using their own produce/ wastes to make suitable fertilizers by themselves.

2.Bodies(public/private/NGOs/unions) and institutions(such as Agri Research bodies/colleges) responsible for farmers' welfare and those meeting with farmers to discuss the impact of different farming techniques are lagging in terms of spreading awareness and making sure corrects practices are being followed.

3. Government, which excessively promotes chemical fertilizers(75% subsidy on urea, which comprises around 80% of fertilizers used in our country.). Moreover, not much efforts have been put to spread awareness about organic fertilizers and bio- fertilizers. 

4. The respective municipalities responsible to carry organic and inorganic materials separately from our house and use them for creating city compost that contains all essential 17 elements necessary for good soil health. 

5. In cases, where municipality is doing their job correctly, we are responsible not to keep the wastes as has been recommended, which is mostly because of unawareness and this area can be worked upon by respective city administrations. 

                                                          What is the govt. doing? 

The Government has launched a National Mission on Soil Health Card to promote soil test based balanced and judicious fertilizer application in the country. Similarly, organic farming is being promoted under Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) in the country. Trainings and demonstrations are organized through ICAR institutions including Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and agricultural universities to educate farmers on all these aspects. 

(According to Agriculture Minister.-9 Feb 2021 )

                                                      What more needs to be done?

1. Govt. should incentivize good agricultural/farming practices. It should spread more awareness about the harm of using chemical fertilizers and its subsidies should be dropped.

2. Subsidize organic fertilizers and the less harmful bio fertilizers, dis-incentivize chemical fertilizers.

3.The policies on paper need to be implemented with more energy. 

4. NGOs/Pressure groups and various bodies working with farmers should aid them in spreading awareness and low price procurement of organic fertilizers and make them understand the importance of sustainable farming practices in practicality. 

5.Scientific and research bodies like ICAR, IARI  need to make more efforts in engaging with farmers and building confidence by practical applications of their researches ,maybe by conducting pilot projects with some groups ,showing the profitability and making them aware of sustainable practices   then showcasing that pilot project to the country to build confidence and awareness among more farmers across the country.

6. City administration can manage the inorganic and organic wastes in the city and use them to make city compost by utilizing appropriate machinery. This will remove wastes , make city cleaner and the associated villages using such compost will produce better crops, better soil health and it will initiate a chain of sustainable and healthy ecosystem. 

 Remember, nutritious food will lead to improved nutrition conditions in children, healthier people, better human development which would finally lead to better work outcomes , good state of mind, increased happiness , and all of which would further lead to a better living place with healthy GDP. 

                        To enjoy these benefits, and much more, we need to work on our soil!!!!!



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