Disruption to international supply from the conflict in the Middle East has left Chuadanga's markets short of chemical fertiliser, and farmers cannot get enough even at high prices. Low-priced organic fertiliser from the state-owned Carew and Company has become a mainstay for them.
The press mud left after crushing sugarcane at the sugar mill was once an environmental worry. Carew now processes it into an organic fertiliser sold under the name Sonar Dana (golden grain). The company says it improves the soil's water-holding capacity and keeps soil microbes active.
Carew's managing director Rabbik Hasan said a 1 kg packet sells for Tk 23 at the mill gate and a 50 kg bag for Tk 900. The company's organic fertiliser capacity is 2,500 tonnes; about 4,000 tonnes of capacity has been added this year, and work is under way to add 5,000 tonnes next year.
Farmer Ashadul Haque of Akundabaria village said that while farmers go from dealer to dealer for urea, TSP or DAP, a bag of chemical fertiliser now costs Tk 2,500 to 3,000. Carew's compost is Tk 900 a bag and two bags are enough for a bigha. Abdul Quddus, from the same village, said using it alongside chemical fertiliser has cut his costs and improved his vegetable and crop yields.
Nurul Islam, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension, said farmers are being advised to use organic fertiliser as well as chemical fertiliser to raise soil productivity, easing pressure on chemical supplies and protecting soil quality.
Agronomists say years of relying on chemical fertiliser alone have left soils in most of the country alarmingly low in organic matter. Farmers want production and supply of Carew's organic fertiliser stepped up nationwide.
Source: Dainik Bangla
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