Growing crops: Balanced fertilisation vital for food security, say experts

Food minister says excessive use of fertilisers affecting crop production, soil fertility

A symposium on soil fertility on Tuesday highlighted the importance of balanced fertilisation in food security and sustainable agriculture.

The symposium on “Public-Private Partnership to Manage Soil Fertility in Pakistan” was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and the US Department for Agriculture (USDA), said a press release.

The session aimed to sensitise the fertiliser industry, farmers, academia and agriculture extension workers to balanced fertilization.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said the excessive use of fertilisers had created unfavorable balance of nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the soils. “This imbalance in nutrients has emerged as a major contributor in the decline and degradation of crop production and soil fertility in the country,” the minister said.

FAO Representative to Pakistan Patrick Evans said the organisation was working on a baseline atlas of current soil fertility practices, disaggregated by farm size and cropping systems in Pakistan. “The atlas will help us understand required soil fertility management changes for sustainable intensification. Consequently, appropriate balanced inputs and 4Rs — right fertiliser at the right rate, right time and right place — would be promoted in partnership with the private sector, including national fertiliser companies, wholesalers and retailers, and farmer associations,” said Evans.

A significant gap exists between potential and actual yields in Pakistan, said a press release issued by FAO. This presents an opportunity for increased production to ensure food security in the country. The symposium will contribute to finding out ways for improving and managing soil fertility by involving farmers for better nutrient management while intensifying agricultural production, the release said.

The conference brought together approximately 45 participants from the agricultural services departments of fertiliser industry, Punjab and Sindh government agriculture extension departments, research and agricultural information departments, farmers associations, International Potash Institute Switzerland, academia, PARC, USDA, and FAO to share experiences, case studies, initiatives and ideas on the public-private partnership to manage soil fertility.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2015.