Consumption of chemical fertilizers has increased but production has decreased in Gujarat

 

Dilip Patel, 8 April 2022

The entire country has to bear the loss of soil fertility. Barren land reduces crop yields, which in turn lowers the income of farmers. The condition of the country is getting worse. National agricultural income is declining.

Like humans, our earth also gets sick. Plants generally require 17 nutrients for their growth. Nutrient deficiencies occur. Waterlogging is a major soil disease on acidic, saline and alkaline soils.

Crop productivity is declining or stabilizing in many areas.

At the time of independence, the soil was mainly nitrogen deficient. But modern farming has created 10 nutrient deficiencies. Plant growth and yield are decreasing.

The ideal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash is disturbed. This problem is compounded by unbalanced use of fertilizers.

Nitrogen deficiency is found in more than 83% of the soil. Phosphorus level is found to be moderate and potash level is found to be suitable. Soil contains 39.1% sulphur, 34% zinc, 31% iron, 22.6% boron and 4.8% copper. Crop yields also decline due to other disorders. About 6.73 million hectares of land in the country is rich in salts and alkalis.

22 crore 56 lakh farmers have cards. Their field soil should be tested every three years. after soil health card
Fertilizer consumption has declined by 8 to 10 per cent and crop yields have increased by 5-6 per cent.

A total of 1733000 tonnes of chemical fertilizers are used in Gujarat. 1183000 tonnes of nitrogen, 417000 tonnes of phosphorus, 132000 tonnes of urea are used. 13

Only 25 percent of the nitrogen-urea fertilizer applied by the farmers in the field is used. 75% of urea is wasted. Every year 5 to 6 thousand crore nitrogen chemicals are used. 75% of which goes to waste. Agricultural crops use only 25% of the fertilizer used. The rest of the chemicals go underground. Gets lost in the rain and gets blown away in the wind. It literally means that 1250 crores are spent and 3750 crores urea flows along with the water. If all fertilizers are considered to be wasted, then Rs 20,000 crore is wasted in the use of chemical fertilisers, at Rs 25,000 crore annually. 40 to 50 thousand rupees are wasted per farmer.

The subsidy on urea has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. Ravi subsidy of Rs 28,000 crore is given in the country during the Ravi season. 40-50 thousand manure per farmer becomes useless

One million tonnes of urea is used in Gujarat. The government gives a subsidy of Rs 3,000 crore. Thus, farmers in Gujarat use urea worth Rs 6,000 crore.