Fertiliser crisis threatens Boro rice crop
Sunday, 23 March 2008
THE Boro rice crop is one of the two main ones in the country. Any significant fall in the production of the Boro crop is bound to have adverse repercussions for the country's food security. Lower productivity in the Boro season will translate into reduced output, driving up the demand for import of cereals and putting pressure on the country's foreign currency reserve. The numerous subsistence farmers who till their small plots to raise a crop mainly for family consumption, will also be confronted with serious hardships.
But the on-going Boro rice cultivation stands threatened as a consequence of the scarcity as well as shortage of urea fertiliser, one of the main inputs required for its successful cultivation . The blame game is no substitute for giving of focused attention by the authorities -- who should be concerned -- to this acute crisis in relation to urea fertiliser which stands to negatively affect agricultural production.
The relevant ministry and departments of the government must gird up their loins to immediately address the situation with real effectiveness. Everything from urgent import of urea fertiliser to increasing its local production must be considered with no loss of time. Taking of very urgent steps to increase supply of urea fertiliser at field levels to lead to a substantial drop in its price, would be of the greatest value.
Badrul Alam
Tejgaon, Dhaka
But the on-going Boro rice cultivation stands threatened as a consequence of the scarcity as well as shortage of urea fertiliser, one of the main inputs required for its successful cultivation . The blame game is no substitute for giving of focused attention by the authorities -- who should be concerned -- to this acute crisis in relation to urea fertiliser which stands to negatively affect agricultural production.
The relevant ministry and departments of the government must gird up their loins to immediately address the situation with real effectiveness. Everything from urgent import of urea fertiliser to increasing its local production must be considered with no loss of time. Taking of very urgent steps to increase supply of urea fertiliser at field levels to lead to a substantial drop in its price, would be of the greatest value.
Badrul Alam
Tejgaon, Dhaka