Experts at an International seminar have called for ensuring balance usage of fertilizer to overcome decreasing soil fertility, and to increase productivity.

Experts at an International seminar have called for ensuring balance usage of fertilizer to overcome decreasing soil fertility, and to increase productivity. They were addressing a international seminar on potassium arranged by Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Chairing the session, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that imbalance usage of fertilizer was not only decreasing soil fertility but also causing a damage of billions of rupees to the national economy. He said that the balanced fertilizer use could result in increasing productivity of major crops up to many percent. He said that the country He added that the university had developed models for proper prediction of fertilizer doses. He said that almost all the soils had become deficient in potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. He said that situation demanded meet the requirements of crops due to which agriculture production had decreased considerably. He added that the agriculture sector was under the grip of the different problems including low per acre production, water scarcity, stagnation in the major crops, high post harvest losses, lack of mechanization and reducing soil fertility. He added that the Punjab Agriculture policy was being revamped that will uplift the sector and alleviate the poverty Institute Director Dr Javed Akhtar called for raising the awareness among the farming community about the balance usage of fertilizer that will help achieve food security. He said that all out efforts are being made in this regard. He said that balanced use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers could give additional income worth billions of rupees. International Plant Nutrient Institute Consulting Director Middle East Munir Al Rusan called for enhanced efforts and tangible research work to overcome the issue of imbalance usage of fertilizer. IPNI has initiatives addressing the world’s growing need for food, fuel, fiber, and feed. There is widespread concern for issues such as food security and the relationship of crop production to the environment and ecosystems. IPNI programs are achieving positive results in many areas Asif Ali from Engro Fertilizer said that climate changes were posing a serious threat to the people and food security. He said that the balances usage of fertilize would help address the issue of the farming community, increase the productivity and to make the sector profitable.