The Hindu Business Line : Fertiliser industry told to end sulphur deficiency woes

Hyderabad, Oct. 20 The fertiliser industry must take note of the districts that have been identified as sulphur-deficient and include fertilisers containing sulphur in their supply plan, Ms Poonam Malakondaiah, Commissioner of Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, said here on Monday.

Workshop

Addressing representatives from the industry at a workshop organised by The Sulphur Institute (TSI) and Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) on Monday, she said the industry has to also ensure the availability of the same at the retail level, especially when it is needed by farmers.

Sulphur deficient

According to ‘soil analysis and crop response’ data generated by the TSI-FAI-IFA, out of over 49,000 soil samples analysed across 18 States in the country, 46 per cent samples were deficient in sulphur and another 30 per cent were in the medium category.

She also felt that agriculture universities, research institutes and State departments of agriculture and horticulture should include sulphur application in the package of practices, based on the available research data.

“It is also essential to conduct further research to develop micro level fertiliser recommendations,” Ms Malakondaiah said.

According to the Government estimates, around 240 districts are reported to be deficit in sulphur and is estimated at 4.25 lakh tonnes (lt). In Andhra Pradesh, about 18 districts are diagnosed to be sulphur deficit. She said the main reason behind the widespread sulphur deficiency in the country is due to the shift from use of fertilisers such as ammonium sulphate and single super phosphate (SSP) towards fertilisers such as urea and di-ammonium phosphate.

“In Andhra Pradesh, the consumption of SSP has come down from 2.66 lt in 1998-99 to 1.51 lt in 2007-08, a reduction of nearly 76 per cent.

The decline is due to steep increase in raw material prices and sulphur and rock phosphate,” Ms Malakondaiah said.

Soil tests

She said soil testing laboratories must press upon their organisations to help provide soil tests for sulphur as well and also balanced fertiliser application including use of sulphur must be included in the training modules to field extension officials.

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