Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, May 16, 2025 (BSS) - Agricultural experts recommended the use of organic as well as plant and animal waste-based fertilizer in Barind area's soil for boosting its health as it is declining due to various natural and man-made malpractices.

The experts observed that protecting soil health from further degradation has become an urgent need to ensure food security of the gradually rising population in the country.

The experts came up with the observations while addressing two separate seminars titled "Problems of Barind Soil: Implications and Management" and "Biofertilizer: Security of Healthy Soil" here today. 

The Divisional office of the Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI) organized the seminars at the office conference hall of Additional Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Main objective of the seminars was to disseminate ideas and modern knowledge on how to protect soil health for ensuring productivity in the water-stressed region.

Director General of SRDI Dr Begom Samia Sultana and DAE Additional Director Dr Azizur Rahman addressed the seminars as chief and special guests respectively with SRDI Chief Scientific Officer Amir Muhammad Zahid in the chair.

Prof Giash Uddin Ahmed and Prof Mahmudul Hassan from the Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension at Rajshahi University also spoke on the occasion, disseminating their expertise on the vital issue.

SRDI Principal Scientific Officer Dr Nurul Islam talked about the soil and water management in Barind, while Scientific Officer Mahmudul Hassan focused on bio-fertilizer and its aspects related to ensuring security of healthy soil during their PowerPoint presentations.
 
Dr Nurul Islam said soil test-based use of balanced fertiliser has become indispensable to maintain soil properties positive to growth of plants

Mahimudul Hassan mentioned that lesser use of organic matter and little or no use of leguminous green manure and bio-fertilizers have also been detected as the soil health degradable factors.

In her remarks, Dr Begom Samia Sultana said substantial and sustainable uses of required organic fertilizers in the farming fields are very important for boosting its health and productivity which is imperative for feeding the country's gradually rising population.
 
Plant and animal waste based fertilizer has a vital role towards protecting the soil nutrients which are being declined due to various natural and man-made catastrophes.
 
There is no alternative to protect the soil nutrients from further declining trends amidst the adverse impact of climate change. 

Soil scientist Dr Samia Sultana added that climate change has started to affect soil health through lowering soil organic matters like nitrogen and phosphorus levels, decreasing soil moisture holding capacity, disturbing soil pH balance and effective soil calcium carbonate. 

She, however, said organic matter supplies plant nutrients, increases water holding capacity of soil and reduces residual negative effects of fertilizers and pesticides.

Prof Giash Uddin urged the participants to make the best use of the knowledge acquired from the seminars in their respective working fields properly so that the grassroots farmers can derive total benefits of the updated soil resource guideline.