Rahul Mirchandani
Indian farming has to readjust its priorities. We, as a nation, are trying to adopt advanced farming practices that include use of genetically engineered seeds, micro-irrigation, greenhouse cultivation, hydroponics, integrated pest management, computer-based modelling to track disease and pest incidence, mechanisation and the like. However, very few of our farmers have addressed the first step — feeding the crop correctly!
As a result, we spend on practices that are great in themselves, but work sub-optimally because of the imbalanced nutrition that our crops suffer from. This imbalanced nutrition not only constricts the energy levels of our crops but also acts as a barrier in improving productivity levels. No matter how great a seed is, unless it is nourished in its infancy and at appropriate stages with all the 16 nutrients required, it will never achieve the productivity levels that it is designed to achieve.
Similarly, one may deploy an integrated pest management solution, but there is also a risk that by doing so, harmful plant protection chemicals may find their way into the food chain and the ecosystem. In addition, this can increase the cost of cultivation and, in turn, the indebtedness of farmers as these solutions are almost always sourced on credit. Alternatively, balancing nutrition to plants and crops will certainly improve resistance that will keep pests at bay, as medicine is always more expensive than food. The need for application of harmful chemicals will reduce with proper crop nutrition.
The problem in India is that farmers have limited access to information and awareness is restricted and, at times, skewed in nature. There is an overuse of primary fertilisers such as nitrogen (for example, urea), phosphorus (DAP) and potash (SOP), three of the 16 nutrients required by plants. Studies have shown that though the usage of these nutrients have risen sharply in recent years, land area under cultivation and yields have remained static and at times even declined.
This points to a wasteful use of these elements that are subsidised by the government. Farmers find these fertilisers inexpensive and demand grows each year, though there is no apparent reason for usage levels to rise.
The Government is expected to have a fertiliser subsidy bill of Rs 1-lakh crore – much of which can be curbed and perennial shortages of these fertilisers reduced if the usage is made more rational and efficient. Trials have shown that similar yields can be achieved by halving of traditional fertiliser dosage in certain areas and on certain crops.
Micronutrient deficiency
Imbalanced crop nutrition is worsened with overuse of the three major nutrients and under-use or ignoring of the micronutrients (zinc, iron, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum) and three secondary nutrients (sulphur, calcium and magnesium).
Typically, in a balanced crop nutrition programme, the usage of micronutrients should be four per cent of the quantity used of the major fertilisers. In India, the estimate of this usage ratio is as low as 0.87 per cent, showing a tremendous under-use of the micronutrients. Each of these micronutrients has a critical, unique role in crop physiology, productivity and in the plant's growth cycle. They are called 'micro' only because they are needed in much smaller quantities, but they cannot be replaced or their importance undermined.
Micronutrient deficiencies have reached alarming proportions in India and the extent of the problem is evident from the results of a massive soil testing effort conducted by the Indian Institute of Soil Science . Close to 2.5 lakh soil samples were tested for micronutrient levels across 18 States and zinc deficiency was observed in almost one of every two samples tested. Boron deficiency was observed in every third sample tested. These deficiencies also changed from State to State, showing a need for companies to design customised formulations of micronutrients for each geography based on these observations.
Cost savings
By addressing these micronutrient deficiencies, as has been achieved by progressive farmers in several States, pockets of excellence have emerged, showcasing productivity benefits of balanced crop nutrition. Trials across agricultural universities have assessed an economic benefit cost ratio of as high as 6:1 by the use of chelated (specially designed chemically inert, water soluble complex forms) micronutrients and about 2.5:1 by the use of inorganic (sulphate forms) micronutrients.
Yields have also risen by an average 35 per cent when chelated micronutrients were used. The cost savings to farmers have been as a result of reducing the over-application of traditional major fertilisers, reduction in labour costs by using sprayable nutrients rather than soil applied fertilisers and reduction in the need for expensive pesticides because of better plant resistance to diseases and pest attacks. Reduced residue levels also made the products more 'exportable', improved keeping quality and shelf-life of the crops and thus, increased farm gate realisations.
Health impact
The deficiency of micronutrients is also having a ripple effect and impacting human health, as these nutrient-starved cereals, fruits and vegetables are consumed by us.
According to a World Heath Organisation report listing the top-20 risks to human life, iron deficiency was ranked as the ninth major risk and zinc deficiency, the eleventh.
The invisible effects of trace element or micronutrient deficiencies are taking a toll on children's IQ, causing physical weakness and fatigue, lifestyle diseases and making the working population less productive. In India, 22,000 maternal deaths were reported due to anaemia (iron deficiency). And, 6.6 million children were born mentally impaired due to iodine deficiency.
Zinc plays a major role in the functioning of the human immune system, reproductive physiology, dark vision adaptation and insulin storage. It is an anti-oxidant and its deficiency directly promotes oxidative stress. Zinc deficiency causes stunted growth in children.
In fact, the extent of the problem becomes apparent when one considers the World Health Organisation report that attributes eight lakh deaths worldwide due to zinc deficiency. Worldwide, zinc deficiency is responsible for approximately 16 per cent of lower respiratory tract infections, 18 per cent of malaria and 10 per cent of diarrhoeal disease.
Similarly, deficiencies of other micronutrients such as copper can cause malnutrition in infants, magnesium (low birth weight of children and maternal mortality), calcium (osteoporosis and weak bones), manganese (cartilage disorders), boron (affects hormone metabolism).
Correcting trace element or micronutrient imbalance will not only improve farm economics and agricultural productivity but also help in providing nutritive food to people. This will help in safer pregnancies, healthier mothers and children, better school performance, improved work capacity, greater productivity and increased economic growth. It is time to make efforts to ensure that "balanced crop nutrition is made a national imperative".
(The author is Executive Director, Aries Agro Ltd and National Vice-Chairman – Confederation of Indian Industry's Young Indians. )
The National Biotechnology Policy unveiled in 2005 is already in place. The implementation of the policy is anchored by the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (MBC). Based on their latest information, many companies have now been accorded the Bionexus Status.
