Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers will wreck soil structure: Researchers
Sustainable Farming Practices are crucial for overcoming the crisis in the farming sector and protecting soil health.
Sustainable Farming Practices are crucial for overcoming the crisis in the farming sector and protecting soil health.
Sustainable Farming Practices are crucial for overcoming the crisis in the farming sector and protecting soil health.
Farmers are often using chemical pesticides and fertilisers in unscientific quantities, observed Prof T Vanaja, head of the research wing in the northern region of Kerala Agricultural University.
She was presenting a topic, `How to overcome crisis in the farming sector', at a gathering of farmers.
There are farmers who spray pesticides in approximate quantities without adhering to the recommended dosage. Some add more pesticide if the water-pesticide mixture does not appear dark enough in colour. Others use extra quantities, assuming it will yield better results. In some cases, pesticides are applied unnecessarily just because they are distributed free of cost from the Krishi Bhavan.
Such unscientific practices damage the soil’s composition and structure. Farmers who lament declining harvests compared to earlier times should recognise that this is the consequence of such faulty methods.
The use of chemical fertilisers increased exponentially after the 1960s. The principle of applying chemical fertilisers only in limited quantities after enriching the soil with organic manure was ignored. Many farmers began using chemical fertilisers indiscriminately under the pretext of boosting yield. This has led to the depletion of soil health.
Only pests harmful to crops should be targeted. However, indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides destroys even those insects beneficial to farming, Dr Vanaja noted.