Munshiganj farmers urged to use balanced fertilisers in potato farming

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has launched an initiative to encourage farmers in Munshiganj to use fertilisers in recommended quantities for potato cultivation, aiming to reduce production costs and preserve soil fertility.
According to the DAE, farmers could save around 39,054 tonnes of chemical fertilisers, worth approximately Tk312 crore, per season by following the recommended doses set by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).
Munshiganj, once the country's leading potato-producing district, has now dropped to third place after Rangpur and Bogura. However, it remains a major potato-producing area, with around 34,000 to 35,000 hectares of land cultivated with the crop annually.
The DAE said farmers currently use around 72,034 tonnes of fertilisers annually for potato cultivation, against the BARI-recommended amount of 32,980 tonnes, resulting in excessive use of nearly 39,054 tonnes.
BARI recommends applying 250-300kg of urea, 150-200kg of TSP, 250-300kg of MOP, 100-150kg of gypsum and 10 tonnes of compost per hectare, depending on soil conditions and cultivation requirements.
However, many farmers use excessive fertilisers in the hope of increasing yields.