Agricultural breakthrough: New organic fertiliser promises wonders

Promotes growth of earthworms to improve fertility of land

LAHORE: Sowing and reaping have been at the core of human society’s survival and have helped civilizations through the ages. But this primitive exercise faces a myriad of threats.  One of them is the consistent decline of arable land in many parts of the country, which puts an ever-greater pressure on the ability of humanity to feed itself.

After six years of intense research, a firm in Lahore may have cracked the code to create what qualifies as the ‘miracle fertiliser.’

According to Babar Hussain Bukhari, who heads Converde Farm Developers, the organic liquid fertiliser can restore the fertility of barren land.

“Our organic fertiliser can transform a barren piece of unproductive land into one that is fertile,” Bukhari claimed.

To verify the efficacy of the new product, Bukhari said the firm carried out experiments across the province.

“The organic fertiliser was successfully tested in Lahore, Kasur, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Chakwal, Jauharabad, Khoshab, Kahuta, Narowal, and Zafarwal,” he said.

Bukhari’s new organic fertiliser promotes the growth of earthworms to combat rising soil infertility, caused by the indiscriminate use of conventional fertilisers.  In the long run, these worms rejuvenate the fertility of inarable land.

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Known as ‘ecosystem engineers’ for their ability to naturally improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil profile, earthworms produce rich nutrients that increase fertility.

According to experts at Converde Farm Developers, who created the organic fertiliser, these worms inject organic materials into the soil. Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen become readily available to plants through material excreted in earthworm casts.  Studies suggest earthworms take nutrients down through the soil profile, bringing them into closer contact with plant roots.

In the long run, Bukhari believes the new fertiliser will improve the situation for farmers struggling with large swathes of inarable land. “With one-time use, up to 2 liters of liquid can improve the fertility of 2 acres of land,” he added. Within days, the liquid produces earthworms that help change the composition of the soil.

Bukhari claims the firm has experimented with growing crops.  “We saw an excellent yield in Sahiwal, Zafarwal, and even in Kahuta Hilly Areas,” he claimed.

Talking about commercially selling his product, Bukhari said, he expects Rs 400,000 to 500,000 for a one-acre land.  But for farmers who cannot afford the product, Bukhari plans to offer subsidies and even loans.

All set to launch the organic fertiliser, Bukhari has already registered the formula with the Agriculture Department of Punjab and started selling it in Pakistan.

“This formula has been in use in Canada, the US, and the UAE,” he claimed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2019.