DAE withdraws erroneous report on ‘Humi King,’ easing concerns among farmers

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has withdrawn and corrected an erroneous report on ‘Humi King,’ a humic acid-based plant growth regulator (PGR) marketed by Mimppex Agrochemicals Limited, bringing an end to recent confusion and concern among farmers, agricultural input traders, dealers and distributors.

The controversy emerged after information circulated regarding the composition and quality of Humi King, a government-registered PGR bearing registration number S-2382. It has since been established that the confusion originated from an error in a laboratory report published by the DAE, which was subsequently corrected by the authorities.

The product was sampled by the Lalpur Upazila Agriculture Office in Natore and sent for laboratory analysis. According to the test results, the potassium content of the sample was found to be 0.04 percent.

However, in a report issued by the DAE's Field Services Wing on August 9, the result listed at serial number 52 was mistakenly identified as the product's humic acid content. In fact, the figure referred to its potassium content.

The reporting error triggered widespread misunderstanding about the composition and quality of the product, causing concern among farmers and businesses involved in the agricultural input sector.

After the discrepancy came to the attention of the authorities, the DAE took corrective measures. On August 11, the department issued a revised report signed by the Director of its Field Services Wing. The corrected document was also sent in writing to agriculture offices across the country to ensure that officials and relevant stakeholders were properly informed and that no further confusion resulted from the earlier report.

An official familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the discrepancy originated during the laboratory reporting process and was subsequently reflected incorrectly in the published document.

Agricultural experts noted that pesticides and plant growth regulators are fundamentally different categories of agricultural products and are regulated through separate administrative mechanisms. While the DAE's Plant Protection Wing oversees the registration and regulation of pesticides, plant growth regulators fall under the jurisdiction of the Field Services Wing.

Despite the publication of the corrected report, stakeholders in the agricultural input sector said the earlier misinformation may already have affected the market and caused unnecessary concern among farmers, dealers and distributors.

Experts stressed that agricultural inputs are a sensitive issue and that both official information and media reports must be based on accurate, updated and properly interpreted data. Errors in the dissemination of such information, they warned, can lead to unnecessary confusion, reputational damage and potential financial losses for farmers and businesses.

Agricultural specialists also highlighted the importance of maintaining soil health. Long-term and excessive use of chemical fertilisers can contribute to declining organic matter and reduced biological activity in soil. Humic acid-based products are generally used to support soil structure and create more favourable conditions for plant growth.

According to agricultural experts, such products may help improve soil texture, water-holding capacity and aeration, thereby supporting root development and beneficial soil microorganisms.

The incident has once again underscored the importance of accuracy, verification and prompt correction in the reporting and dissemination of information related to agricultural products. Stakeholders believe that ensuring the proper interpretation of laboratory findings and the timely correction of errors is essential to protecting farmers, businesses and the wider agricultural sector from avoidable confusion and financial losses.

-HIS