Barind farmers showing interest in compost fertiliser

RAJSHAHI, Oct 28: The farmers of the Barind tract are showing interest in using compost fertiliser instead of chemical fertilisers in fruit and crop cultivation here. Now they are producing quick compost fertiliser commercially as the use of chemical fertilisers is being reduced here day by day.
While visiting, this correspondent found that the framers of Tanore, Godagari and Bagha upazilas and some other areas of the Barind tract are commercially cultivating guava, malta and other fruits using quick compost fertiliser in their fields. Besides, they are also using compost fertiliser in producing different vegetables and crops like paddy, wheat, maize, and different vegetables.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, the farmers of Golappur, Sonadighi, Ishwarpur and Bidirpur areas in Godagari upazila are commercially producing quick compost fertiliser and using it in their fields, and after meeting personal demands, they are selling the fertiliser to other farmers.
While talking with The Daily Observer, Chhoton Mia, a farmer of Sonadighi village said, "I cultivated guava in my 15-bigha land using quick compost fertiliser this year. I bought the fertiliser from other farmers who produce it commercially in the upazila, at Tk 15 per kg."
 "As the chemical fertiliser is costly for me, I started to make the quick compost fertiliser with the suggestion of local agriculture officials. Now I am commercially producing quick compost fertiliser at a cost of Tk 6 per kg," hje added.
Abdul Adud of Golappur village said, "This year I used quick compost fertiliser in my 10-bigha land to cultivate guava. I am using the fertiliser not only in guava cultivation but also in other fruits and crops. The cost of compost fertiliser is less than the chemical fertilisers."
Sumon Ali of Bangabari village said, it costs only Tk 6 for making one kg quick compost fertiliser.
Agriculture Officer of Godagari upazila Toufiqur Rahman said, "Farmers can easily make compost fertiliser from the dung of different cattle, rice husk and oil-cake. It is necessary to mix up four kg dung with one kg oil-cake and two kg of rice husk to make the fertiliser. At least 25 days are required for malting and producing the quick compost fertiliser."