Abstract An echo of green revolution can be heard in Bangladesh, if the government takes the initiative to produce Bacterial fertilizer.

Where the existing line of fertilizer is dependent on an environment foe fertilizer, Bacterial fertilizer can bring revolutionary change by complementing this line. Urea plant harms the environment by consuming natural resources, polluting water, reducing fertility of land and discharges toxic ammonia and carbon dioxide. Government has to incur huge sum of subsidy to import urea. It also imposes social burden to the farmers. The externality effect is more dangerous. It seems production is increasing in the short run, but in the long run decreases the fertility of the land. This paper prescribes to abandon the use of urea as the best alternative- Bacterial fertilizer is available which is environment friendly, protects natural gas and can save the government from huge some of subsidy. Government initiative can ensure Bacterial fertilizer production for sound environment and economy.

Introduction Agriculture is the life force of Bangladesh economy. Incremental growth of agriculture depends in the uses of the fertilizer. But extreme use of chemical fertilizer damages the fertility of the land, incur huge sum of government subsidy and reduces the taste and flavor of the corps. Bacterial Fertilizer, an alternative to urea, can increase the productivity of crops; fertility of land protects natural gas and can save Tk.23036 million of Government. It will work as a hope of light in the increased price of agricultural goods. Bangladesh needs 35 thousands metric tons for pulse corps and 23 lakhs metric tons for paddy corps of fertilizer each year. The entire demand of pulse corps can be met by bacterial fertilizer and in addition, if it is used in the land of paddy then 25% urea can be saved. Most interestingly, One kg bacterial fertilizer works as much as 70 kg urea fertilizer does. At present the total demand of bacterial fertilizer stands 10000 kg. But its future potentiality is huge. According to Dr. M A Sattar, Scientist of BINA, said demand will be almost double in the next year. Unlike the production& use of other chemical fertilizer, use of bacteria fertilizer increases the fertility of land and productivity of crops, protects natural resources and improves soil fertility. It also reduces the social burden and substantial amount of government subsidy. Government initiative can ensure this environment friendly fertilizer to the doorstop of the farmers. Research Methodology: I have used both the primary and secondary data. I have interviewed Dr. Sattar, former VC of Agricultural University of Bangladesh (BAU) who have invented few series of Bacterial fertilizer particularly suits the environment of Bangladesh. Research articles, field trial books, documentary, training manuals were used as the secondary sources of data. Even dramas telecasted on BTV regarding the use of Bacterial fertilizer provided
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useful information. Daily news papers provided useful secondary information regarding Bacterial fertilizer, prices of urea, demands, subsidy etc. Literature Review: It is argued that Bacterial fertilizer is environment friendly compared to other chemical fertilizers (Jibanu Sar Porichiti and prorog). Urea harms the environment by polluting water, using natural resources as raw materials, discharging toxic ammonia, carbon dioxide and Ph levels, and substantial residues of grease and oil ( Mainul Huq andDavid Wheeler). It provides short term benefit but long term loss to the environment ( Ramesh Chand and L.M. Pandey). Bacterial fertilizer protects natural resources and improves soil fertility (The Daily Ittefaq). It is a matter of sorrow that research on Bacterial fertilizer is still confined in the laboratory. Field researches by BINA showed the potentiality of it. Government need to follow the work style of India & Thailand (Dr. Sattar). Background A very close association is observed between growth of fertilizer and crop productivity. Fertilizer was used in land since the inception of land cultivation. Broadly, fertilizer may be defined as any substance (chemical, organic and microbial) that is added to soil to supply element(s) required for the nutrition of plants. In a specific sense, fertilizers are chemicals that occur naturally or are produced in the factory and when added to the soil, supply nutrient elements required for better plant growth. Some examples of different fertilizers: Chemical fertilizers : Urea, TSP, MOP, Gypsum and Boric acid Organic fertilizers : Cowdung, Farmyard manure, Poultry manure and Compost Bacterial fertilizer : Rhizobium, Azospirillum and Blue-Green Algae

Present Status of Fertilizer uses in Bangladesh: The use of fertilizer is always concerning for the farmers because it is tied with their fate. Most of the farmers use urea as to have plant nutrition. Organic and bio fertilizer is very minimum. ('000' metric tons) Type of Fertilizers Urea 2451.37 2515.00 2685.00 2400.00 Others Total 3682.67 3551.70 4090.00 3000.00 Source: Bangladesh Economic Review2010 (English Version) 2409.00 3435.00 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Figures shows use of urea holds almost 75%-80% of total fertilizer used over the past years. Farmers are heavily dependent on urea fertilizer. Government is trying to ensure minimal use of urea to the firm level. Consequently, the total holding percentage of urea is decreasing by keeping the steady use of urea. Bacterial Fertilizer (Jibanu Sar) Fertilizer consists of bacteria and peat soil is known as Bacterial fertilizer. In Bangladesh researches on Bacterial fertilizer started in 1939. In 1968, a research was taken place in the University of Dhaka on Rhizobium. In 1977, BCIC made inoculums using peat soils from Faridpur. Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Technology (BINA) achieved great success in 1988 by displaying this fertilizer on the firm level. BINA tried to popularize this environment friendly fertilizer. But due to lack of government patronize they did not gained targeted success. After having trials on field BINA recently (2011) produced Bacterial fertilizer and went for distribution. How bacterial fertilizer works:
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Normally, there is 77.16% nitrogen in the air. But despite this fact, plant cannot receive this nitrogen. There is one type of bacteria, namely Rhizobium & Bradi Rhizobium ,in the soil that can take, in normal condition, nitrogen form air. Bacterial fertilizer applied in the land creates nodule of nitrogen at the root of plant. A Rhizobium bacterium accumulates nitrogen from air and provides to the plant after meeting its own need that results in an increase production of corps and fertility of land. Production process: Broth culture is made by mixing two prime raw materials: Peat soil and Rhizobium bacteria. After the gamma radiation these are packetized and kept in 3 to 5 days before distribution. Both the raw material are available throughout the country specially Faridpur region. Importance of Bacterial fertilizer: Urea has adverse effect on the economy of Bangladesh and environment. Urea works as a short run production but long run loss. An environment friendly and cheap fertilizer like bacterial fertilizer can play important role by reducing government subsidy. Hence, importance of fertilizer can be divvied into two ways: a) Economic Importance b) Environmental Importance a) Economic Importance: Unlike the production& use of other chemical fertilizer, use of bacteria fertilizer is very cheap to the farmers and can save a huge sum of money of the government. 1. Reduces Government Subsidy: Government allocated Tk. 4,500 crore in FY2011 for agricultural subsidy. CPD analyzed fertilizer subsidy may have to be revised upward. CPD estimation based on imported price and projected demand of fertilizer shows that an amount of Tk. 5,732 crore may be needed in FY12 as
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subsidy for fertilizer which is Tk. 1,232 crore higher than the allocated Tk. 4,500 crore in the budget. This huge sum of subsidy burden can be reduced on an optimal level by manufacturing Bacterial Fertilizer which can save Tk. 23036 million of the government.

An Estimation of Subsidy Requirement for Fertilizer in FY2011-12 ('000' metric tons)

Fertilise r

Sourc e

Price (USD/ton )

Insuranc e and freight charge (USD/ton )

Importe d ) Cost (USD/ton

Quantit y

Subsid y (Crore Tk)

Urea China $450 $60 $510 Data Source: CPD and The Daily Financial Express

2409.00

Tk.2409

CPD further indicates If GoB recently did not readjust the administered price of urea (fromTk.12/kgtoTk.20/kg) additional subsidy of Tk.2,400 crore would have been needed. That means government is trying to impose subsidy burden to the poor farmer and subsequently causes increased social cost. Even farmers are not getting their capital returned. This social cost can be reduced by manufacturing Bacterial fertilizer. As the bacterial fertilizer is very cheap to produce, it can change the whole scenario. It can reduce the social burden at an optimum level. Bacterial fertilizer can save 25% of urea so the Government need not to import = (25% of 2409000) = 602250 metric tons of urea. Governments saving from less import = (602250metric ton$510) = $307.1475 million. On the other hand, Government can
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produce bacterial fertilizer by costing $8.6 million. So, government can earn a huge sum of net saving ($299 millions) by producing Bacterial fertilizer. (In millions) Particulars Cost of importing 25% of Urea($307.147575) (-)production Cost of Bacterial Fertilizer($8.675) Net Saving By Producing Bacterial fertilizer Amount(Tk) 23036.0625 (645.000) 22391.0625

A revolutionary decision from the government can change the agricultural sector of Bangladesh. Net saving from producing Bacterial fertilizer can reduce the subsidy of fertilizer by 100% and total agricultural subsidy by 50%. Again it will reduce social burden dramatically by reducing prices of agricultural goods. Simultaneously, it will reduce present level of inflationary pressures. 2. Cost Benefit Analysis of the Farmer: Bacterial fertilizer is cheaper then urea. Even after the price hike of urea from Tk.12 to Tk.20, use of Bacterial fertilizer is wiser to the farmer. One kg bacterial fertilizer works as much as 70 kg urea fertilizer does. Farmers will have the access to this fertilizer at a cost of Tk. 75 by which farmers can save Tk. 1325(Tk.70X20 - Tk.75) on per kg of bacterial fertilizer used. 3. Employment Opportunity: If the government takes the initiative to produce bacterial fertilizer, it will also benefit the unemployed persons. Establishing plants, collection of raw materials and distribution of fertilizer will facilitate employment of more than 10000 persons. Again the persons presently engaged in importing and distributing Urea can also be engaged in the distribution process of Bacterial fertilizer.

C)

Environmental Importance: Unlike the production& use of other chemical

fertilizer, use of bacteria fertilizer is an outstanding technology which is environment friendly. 1. Environment Friendly: Bacterial fertilizer is environment friendly at the time of production and use. The production process and use of urea is harmful to the environment. The production plant of urea discharges toxic ammonia, carbon dioxide and Ph levels, and substantial residues of grease and oil. A survey covering four urea plants of Bangladesh clearly identified by downstream villages as the cause of major fish kills, paddy field damage, and health threats. In addition, there have been regular atmospheric releases of ammonia and sulphur di- and trioxide. They found most of the plants are in threat and low cleanup effort: Plant Local Pressure Pollution due Polash Factory (PUFF - Polash, Narsingdi) Chittagong Urea Factory Ltd. Zero (CUF Rangudia, Fertilizer Low High Medium Chittagong) Natural Gas Factory (NGFF - Fenchuganj, Sylhet) Triple Superphosphate High Complex (TSPC North Patenga, Zero Medium None
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Cleanup Effort Medium

to

the Intensity Medium

Urea

Harmful Effect Fertilizer High

Low

None

High

None

Chittagong) Khulna Newsprint Mill

(KNM - Khalishpur, Khulna) Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mill (SPPM - Chatak, Sylhet) Zero High High

As the production process of Bacterial fertilizer requires mixture of Peat soil and Bacteria, it is environment friendly at the time of production and use. 2. Increases productivity :It increases the productivity of crops by 40% to 150% , protein by 15% to 130% and chemical & biological quality of soil is also improved which leads to social satisfaction as a whole. 3. Protection of natural resources: Production of urea requires natural gas as raw materials and electricity. But Bangladeshs proven gas reserves are 7.3 tcf(excluding Netrokona) and the demand is increasing at a rate of 10% per annum. The government forecasts that the countrys current gas reserve will run out by 2014-2015 at the present consumption rate. In this critical circumstance, if the demand of fertilizer is met by producing & supplying bacterial fertilizer instead of urea, then our limited natural gas can be used for longer periods. Thus it works to protect natural resources. 4. Improves fertility of the land: Extreme use of chemical fertilizer damages the fertility of the land but bacterial fertilizers increases fertility of land instead. 5. Increases the taste and flavor: It also increases the taste and flavor and improves the color of the crops but the ability is absent in other chemical fertilizers.

Future Potentiality: Increased Demand of Bacterial fertilizer:

Present demand of Bacterial fertilizer is 10000 metric tons. As the farmers are getting conscious about using Bacterial fertilizer the demand will increase by 5000 metric tons per year. Again research is going on to complement entire 100% urea through bacterial fertilizer. Another version (used in paddy crops) has already experimented. Field trials have already been made and positive result is achieved. If it gets Government approval demand will increase more rapidly. He added this time is no longer far from us when our farmers are using Bacterial fertilizer instead of urea fertilizer.

(Metric tons )
30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 20.4 10000 15000 18000 Demand of Bacterial Fertilizer 25000

Government Initiatives: Government policy is to use of organic manure, bio-fertilizers and compost instead of the use of Urea. Government has formulated National Agriculture Policy In order to strengthen fertilizer management. Following policies already adopted by the government will be continued: Steps already taken to popularize the use of granular urea as a means of reducing excessive use of urea fertilizers will be strengthened. A sustained increase in the productive capacity of land and its preservation in the long-run will get priority over the immediate yield improvement.
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 Production, importation, sales and distribution of any fertilizer harmful to soil environment will be banned. Government is aware of environment pollution. So, government is encouraging to use organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer. In this policy, privatization is also patronized. It is a great opportunity for the production of an environment friendly fertilizer like bacterial fertilizer From the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) it is clear that production of Bacterial fertilizer is profitable. It adds value to the economy through reducing government subsidy, creating employment opportunity, reducing social burdens. As a prioritized sector agricultural sector is deprived of huge private investment for its low profit projects. Production of Bacterial fertilizer benefits both the farmers and the government through cost benefit analysis. Consequently, it will add value to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Challenges: As the production of Bacterial fertilizer will bring revolutionary change in the agricultural sector of Bangladesh, there exist huge challenges. Challenges include: 1. Firm belief among the farmers: There is a firm believes among the farmers to use urea. Farmers believe that urea will increase their crops production. As most of them are illiterate and old they usually do not want to understand what is good for them. They stand on their own logic. 2. Vulnerable to extreme hot temperature As the fertilizer is nothing but the mixture of peat soil and bacteria it is vulnerable to extreme hot temperature. If the bacteria are died due to hot temperature, it will lose its effectiveness. 3. Prescription:
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Like any other fertilizer if Bacterial fertilizer is not used in accordance with the prescribed manual, it may result in dissatisfactory performance. 4. Quality Control: The ratio of peat to bacteria should be maintained strictly. Lab experiments and lab works are very important. Recommendations: Crops production is closely related with the use of fertilizer. Efficient fertilizer management can bring prosperous life to the farmer. Production and use of Bacterial fertilizer can ensure better crops and recommendations are given below: 1. Government should establish plants to produce Bacterial fertilizer. Government can introduce Public Private Partnership (PPP) for producing it. 2. Production of Bacterial fertilizer is profitable. Big corporate house can contribute to the society through investment activities like the Matex group of our neighboring country (India). 3. Government need to introduce a 10 to 15 years policy to reduce the use of urea by 100%. 4. Awareness programs should be conducted to train the farmers for the adoption of Bacterial fertilizer. 5. As Bacterial fertilizer is prescription sensitive, so it should be used as it was prescribed. Conclusion:Fertilizer plays significant roles in increasing agricultural production. Fertilizer should be used to increase the productivity not to increase environmental pollution. An environment friendly solution is required to save the environment. As the time we will pass the environment will be more polluted. It is high time government implemented a revised agricultural policy consistent with the previous one to initiate the production of Bacterial fertilizer.
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sound environment. Few

References: 1. Ramesh Chand and L. M. Pandey, Fertiliser Growth, Imbalances and Subsidies: Trends and Implications, 2008 by Agricultural Economics and Policy Research 2. David Wheeler and Mainul Huq, POLLUTION REDUCTION WITHOUT FORMAL REGULATION: EVIDENCE FROM BANGLADESH, January 1993, by The World Bank 3. National Agriculture Policy- 2010 4. FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION GUIDE -2005 5. Amardesh(16 Feb 2011) 6. The Financial Express(June 15, 2011) 7. The Daily Ittefaq(24 October 2010) 8. Dainik Kaler kontho(16 January 2010) National Centre for

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