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Fertilizer Recommendation for Agriculture: Practice, Practicalities and Adaptation in Bangladesh and Netherlands

Sultana, J
Organic Agriculture, Wageningen University, the Netherlands

Siddique, M. N. A
Soil Resource Development Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh

Abdullah, M. R.
Dept. of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

For maintaining of soil quality and attainable crop yield, it is required to add proper amount of fertilizers and minimize the misuse of soil resources which is possible by knowing actual situation of soil physical, chemical and biological condition through observation, investigation and soil testing. Through soil analytical results interpretation and or Upazila Nirdeshika 1 data as and where necessary, subsequent balanced fertilizer recommendation for cropping pat tern(s) is provided at farmer’s level. While BLGG AgroXpertus is an international company located in Wageningen, the Netherlands, which provides soil and plant based fertilization recommendations on the basis of soil analysis, but the recommendation mainly based on information originated from European research. Bangladesh has agricultural potentials and problems related to its soil and land resources such as alteration of soil nutrient status, soil fertility decline, soil acidity, soil salinity, phosphorus fixation in the piedmont areas, decline of soil organic matter etc. But the condition of Europe, as well as the Netherlands, is not always similar with Bangladesh. For instance, a higher sulphur (S) deposition was reported in the Netherlands (05 kg/ha) whereas in Bangladesh, it was negligible. Mineralization rate of organic matter was much higher in Bangladesh compare to the Netherlands. In addition, phosphorus (P) status was almost high in different parts of the Netherlands and it was very low to low in Bangladesh except some piedmont areas. Therefore, it is a prerequisite to adjust and optimize the fertilizer recommendation to the Bangladesh’s situation as a better applicability of soil report of this company in Bangladesh as the supplement of existing fertilizer recommendation system. As the mineralization high in Bangladesh, the company can recommend applying the whole amount of organic matter by dividing into 2-3 applications in a year. BLGG AgroXpertus Company can provide support, encouragement and guidance to rural farmers and advice about sustainable management practice of soils. The company can provide leaflets to farmers about the importance of organic matter and benefits of soil test for the establishment of organic matter. This company offers not only fertilizer recommendation of crops but also additional important information, for example, organic matter balance, soil structure, water retention curve and soil type is given to farmers. As BLGG AgroXpertus Company uses traditional as well as NIR method for soil test, they can investigate higher number of soil samples in less time, which would be much efficient and useful for farmers of Bangladesh if supported by SRDI to implement with its existing optimum and balanced fertilizer recommendation.

Keywords: Soil test, Fertilizer recommendation, Fertilizers, SRDI, BLGG AgroXpertus, Organic matter, Nutrients and Soil quality

Location: Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Adoption of technology, Performance

Objectives:

In this case study, there are few questions; (a) what are the existing soil test and subsequent fertilizer recommendation methods in Bangladesh? (b) does the soil test report of BLGG AgroXpertus, Netherlands and SRDI, Bangladesh need further adjustment for usability? (c) how can the benefits of soil tests be explained to farmers for fertilizer recommendation in Bangladesh? This study was under taken to find the answers of this questions.

Methodology:

This case study was based on several published literatures (journal papers, book, booklets), reports from different governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is literature research combined with own experience and personal contact with advisors of BLGG AgroXpertus, in the Netherlands and Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), in Bangladesh. The major components of the information were collected from the websites of BLGG AgroXpertus and SRDI. An overview of Bangladesh about its soils, the environment, farmer’s condition, soil fertility problem, land use, fertilizer recommendation and services for agriculture has been discussed initially. An overview of BLGG AgroXpertus Company and Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) method of soil test has been discussed. Consequently, discussion about the front page and or soil report including fertilizer recommendation page usability of BLGG AgroXpertus report and SRDI, Bangladesh fertilizer recommendation report have been highlighted. The suitability of BLGG AgroXpertus report in the different group of farmers had been discussed. The available fertilizer recommendations for rice based farming, common vegetables and other crops of Bangladesh was discussed as for example. These fertilizer recommendations are based on the optimum value of every nutrient through soil test. On the other hand, for mineralization of organic matter, comparison between Netherlands and Bangladesh, organic matter availability, mineralization rate, nutrient balance and the organic matter content of soil had been discussed throughout the case study. The difference of sulphur (S) deposition and phosphorus (P) status between Europe (Netherlands) and Bangladesh was also discussed. Suggestion to BLGG AgroXpertus Company was also discussed, how this company can serve as an intermediate between farmers and advisors of Bangladesh as well as South Asia. Lacking and strength of this case study with final recommendations for further research was discussed end of this case study.

Source of Information: Int. J. Bus. Manag. Soc. Res. 01(01): 21- 40 (2015)

Article Link (Online Journal): https://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/294913131?access_key=key-T5fj81e9f6PzZipXz5ej&allow_share=false&escape=false&show_recommendations=false&view_mode=scroll

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This case study underlines the needs to search more literatures about the actual situation of different nutrient status, social, cultural and environmental situation in Bangladesh. The fertilizer recommendation facility at farmer level based on laboratory soil test analytical data is still inadequate and scanty. While the farmers of Bangladesh have realized the importance and benefits of fertilizer recommendation during crop cultivation because the natural soil fertility of Bangladesh is reducing rapidly hampering crop productivity and yield apart from environmental degradation. Moreover, input costs are also getting higher day by day. In these circumstances, increase of balanced and or recommended fertilizer uses by soil testing for farmers with support of SRDI and Dept. of Extension, Bangladesh, could contribute in resource use efficiency and more economic return from cultivated crops. Information in this case study about Bangladesh would be helpful for this company to serve as an intermediate between farmers and advisors.

Knowledge Management: Journal