Experts review remedies as soil health declines in Barind region

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RAJSHAHI, March 10, 2021 (BSS) – Experts suggested 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
catastrophes.

Protecting soil health from further degradation has become an urgent
need to ensure food security of the gradually rising population in the
country, they told at the closing and certificate-giving session of a five-
day training course for sub-assistant agriculture officers (SAAO) yesterday
held at the conference hall of the Deputy Director’s office of the Department
of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Chapainawabganj.

The training titled “Utilization of Updated Upazila Land and Soil
Resource Guide” was organized by the Regional office of the Soil Resource
Development Institute (SRDI) under the Strengthening of Soil Resource and
Research Facilities (SRSRF) Project.

SRSRF Project Director Dr Abdul Bari and DAE Deputy Director Nazrul
Islam addressed the ceremony as chief and special guests respectively with
SRDI Principal Scientific Officer Muhammad Kamruzzaman in the chair.

SRDI Principal Officer Dr Nurul Islam illustrated the objectives of the
training along with its aspects in his welcome speech.

Main objective of the training was to disseminate ideas and modern
knowledge on how to promote soil test-based fertilization among the farmers
in the region.

Dr Abdul Bari 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 Bari added that climate change may affect on 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.

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

The chief guest urged the participants to the best uses of the knowledge
acquired from the training in their professional fields properly so that the
grassroots farmers can derive total benefits of the updated soil resource
guide.