Chemical fertiliser use in agri production is at alarming level: Rizwana

The use of chemical fertilisers in the country's agricultural production has reached an alarming level, Environment, Forest, Climate Change and Water Resources Affairs Advsier Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said.

"In 2005, 12,000 tonnes of pesticides were imported but in 2020 it increased to 27,000 tonnes, meaning the import of the pesticides has doubled," she said at a roundtable titled "Impact of climate change in the agriculture sector and way forward" organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Reporters Forum at Jatiya Press Club today.

She said in Bangladesh, the prescribed amount for pesticide usage per hectare of land was worth Tk98. But, the usage per hectare has now increased to an amount worth Tk882.

The application of chemical fertiliser has grown to such an extent that where the usage was 8.5 kg before [for a land], it has now increased to 700 kg.

Pointing out the harmful effects of the chemical fertiliser on the human body, she stressed the importance of safe food production.

"We have reached the hybrid age… We must concentrate on the dual objectives of maintaining safe food production practices and increasing overall food production," she said, urging the Constitutional Reform Commission to recognise the right to food as a constitutional right.

Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Emdad Ullah Mian said climate-tolerant rice varieties such as BRI-52, BINA-11 are being produced to counter the adverse effects of climate change. Initiatives are being implemented to counter the adverse effects through smart technology and mechanisation.

He said that currently the development of an app, "Khamari", is underway. It is designed to evaluate the extent of land, soil fertility, appropriate crop types, fertilizer options, technological resources, and essential weather conditions, thus enhancing decision-making in cultivation.

The app will start working soon, he added.

Former president of FBCCI Abdul Awal Mintoo said land is shrinking at a rate of 0.4% per year. "There are many more challenges. Therefore, all partners must work together to increase agricultural production

"Given the challenges posed by climate change and the demand for greater agricultural productivity, maintaining soil health is also essential," he added.

Presenting the keynote paper, Bangladesh Seed Association General Secretary Dr Ali Afzal said currently about 12 lakh hectares or more than 30% of the country's coastal land is affected by salinity. Increased soil salinity has reduced rice yield by around 20-30%, incurring an annual economic loss of around Tk3,840-5,760 crore. 

Similarly, in the north and north-west regions, including Rajshahi, Rangpur and Dinajpur, the drought is causing a loss of about Tk1,100 crore every year.

Recent flash floods in 11 districts of the country's south-eastern region have resulted in complete destruction of crops covering 3,39,382 hectares and losses of $15.6 crore to livestock and fisheries. Also, around 11 lakh tonnes of Aush and Aman rice production was lost due to the floods.

According to the World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report published in October 2022, Bangladesh has to face a loss of $1 billion every year due to the impact of cyclones. The report projects that by 2050, one-third of agriculture's GDP could be lost due to environmental hazards and natural disasters such as flash floods and cyclones.