BENGALURU: Lack of chemical fertilizer diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea in Karnataka has strengthened demand for the complex.
fertilizer complex consisting of two or more components of nutrients, especially NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), and in some cases small amounts of sulfur, magnesium and trace elements such as boron can be added.
DAP and urea fertilizers are most popular among farmers in the state, even though they harm soil fertility in the long term.
According to data from the department of agriculture, there has been a 30% increase in the use of complex fertilizers as compared with the previous year.
While in 2019-20, Karnataka viewed almost 7.6 lakh metric tonnes of complex fertilizers are used, the number rose to more than 10 lakh metric tonnes by 2020-21.
Until September 2021, it has touched more than 11 lakh MT.
Karnataka had used 152 kilograms of fertilizer per hectare, while the neighboring Kerala uses almost 36 kilos.
“The use of complex fertilizers have crossed a third of our fiscal demand in just one month this year, shows that more and more farmers turn towards them,” said agriculture commissioner Brijesh Kumar Dikshit.
Ministry data show Raichur district used the highest number of complex fertilizers (nearly 1.2 lakh MT) followed by Ballari (over 1 lakh MT) and Davangere (88 290 MT).
Use of the lowest in Udupi (3,209 MT) and Bangalore Urban (5319 MT).
Demand for efficient version of urea – urea nano – has also grown.
According to the joint director of agriculture department Venkataramanareddy Patil, from 5.1 lakh bottles of urea nano available, sold 3.7 lakh.
“The use of nano-urea has increased rapidly in the drier districts of Koppal, Raichur and Ballari with nearly 40,000 bottles sold,” he said.
A 500ml bottle of nanoscale urea equivalent to 45 kilos or one bag of urea.
“Any other use of urea nano is in terms of savings by government subsidies, which provide around Rs 450 Rs 500 per bag of urea.
A bottle of nano-urea will be less than half the rate, “said an agriculture department official.
Early last year, a shortage of DAP and urea has caused difficulties for farmers, who regretted the failure of central and state governments to provide the necessary bag.
The Covid situation is playing havoc with the supply and farmers were forced to switch to a more local fertilizer that is said to be high in a balanced elements required for Indian land.
There are 17 different combinations of complex fertilizers in the market, and farmers can adjust their needs according to the needs of soil and plants.
K’Taka: DAG Lack of DAP demands for complex fertilizers
