DCOs to tell farmers about phosphorous use

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: THE Punjab Agriculture department has asked the district coordination officers of the province to create awareness among farmers and take necessary steps to ensure maximum utilization of phosphorus-based fertilizers in Rabi crops. The letter asked DCOs to launch a campaign to motivate the farmers to increase the use of the phosphorus-based fertilizers during sowing for an increased yield. The use of the phosphorus-based fertilizers has sharply declined during the last one year both in Kharif and Rabi crops. According to official figures, a decline of over 60 per cent in use of the fertilizers was registered during the Kharif crop across the province while it has registered a 38 per cent reduction in use in the Rabi crops.Meanwhile, private sector farmers’ organisations claims showed more decline in phosphorus-based fertilizers use as compared to the government’s figures. The farmers claimed that during the last year, use of phosphorus-based fertilizers was reduced by more than 65 per cent and in Rabi, it was over 40 per cent. According to the government figures, the use of phosphorus-based fertilizers during the Rabi season of 2007-08 was recorded at 514,000 tones as compared to 2006-07 wherein it was 833,000 tones which was historic utilization of phosphorus-based fertilizers. The federal government has announced first time subsidy on fertilizers in 2006-07 which was the basic reason of increase in phosphorus-based fertilizers use then. However, in 2007-08, unprecedented hike in fertilizers prices compelled the farmers to reduce phosphorus-based fertilizers intake. An average intake of phosphorus-based fertilizers in Punjab was 606,000 tones. This year the Punjab agriculture department has set phosphorus -based fertilizers intake target of 720,000 which will be the second highest if utilised after 2006-07. Similarly, a reduction in phosphorus-based fertilizers intake had been recorded in Kharif season. Hoarding and smuggling was the main reason of decline in phosphorus-based fertilizers intake in 2007-08 Kharif season. It was very difficult for a common farmer to get fertilizer timely. Now, the Punjab agriculture department in a letter sent to DCOs stated that it was an open secret that the use of the phosphorus-based fertilizers was reduced to a significant extent in previous Kharif and Rabi crops, that is why a hefty subsidy was given to the farmers so that they increase its use in wheat crops in the province because the deficiency of this important nutrient in wheat leads to stunted growth, poor tillering, delayed maturity, reduced root system and also creates susceptibility to moisture stress. Therefore, all the agriculture extension activities now are focused on maximizing the use of phosphorus, timely sowing with certified clean and graded seed of wheat. The agriculture department has asked that the launch of the awareness campaign must be extended to sensitize the use of phosphorus and its recommended brands such as DAP, MAP, TSP, SSP and NP respectively. Moreover, it is apprehended that increase in its use may lure the unscrupulous elements to market spurious brands of this costly fertilizer. Therefore, a watchful eye is also needed to ensure the provision of quality phosphorus fertilizers to the end consumers on notified prices. This targeted anti-adulteration drive will be a part of this campaign. The agriculture department has also asked the DCOs and district agriculture officials concerned to continue anti-adulteration campaign against substandard and spurious fertilizers and pesticide during Rabi season as well.