The Hindu Business Line : Importance of micronutrients

This is with reference to the report `Micronutrient network to sign pact to combat zinc, iron deficiency in crops' (Business Line, February 15): While the initiative of the Department of Bio-technology is welcome, it is surprising that the Ministry of Agriculture does not seem to be in the picture.

Deficiency of iron in the population, particularly among women, leads to serious health problems. Similarly, there is also a serious deficiency of zinc in the soil, further aggravated by the intensive agricultural practices of the Green Revolution.

This has not only affected the productivity of crops but also the nutritional value of the food consumed.The policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Fertilisers have neglected the importance of micronutrients and concentrated only on the major nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. It is time policy-makers realised that micronutrients such as zinc, iron, molybdenum, boron, etc., not only enhance crop productivity but also meet the critical nutritional needs of both human beings and animals.

B. K. Saha

Director-General

The Fertiliser Association of India

New Delhi

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

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