Since gaining its independence, Bangladesh has significantly increased its production of rice and other grains. Ensuring sustainable agricultural output can be achieved by providing appropriate technology to the farmer. It is crucial to implement innovative, cutting-edge technology in agriculture, from planting to harvesting. Modern (Tractor, Power Tiller, Combined harvester, Rice transplanter) machinery and Nano fertilizer can alter agriculture practices to reduce the production costs. Combine harvesters and Rice Transplanter are now playing a vital role in agricultural mechanization of Bangladesh.
The use of chemical fertilizers in Bangladesh started increasing after the year of 1975. Now a days 26 lac Metric tons of urea, 10 lac Metric tons of triple superphosphate (TSP) and 16 lac Metric tons of Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) are being used in Bangladesh for various crop production. Consistent application of chemical fertilizers causes significant harm to beneficial microorganisms and soil. The soil’s physical and chemical characteristics are losing, which significantly lowers the soil’s fertility. It is evident from the data on fertilizer consumption that urea fertilizers are used extensively. By applying urea fertilizers; it degrades soil structure, pollutes the environment, and jeopardizes soil health since they become reactive.
The adverse effects of climate change and the lack of significant response to the use of more chemical fertilizer are leading to a critical situation. High production costs and the adverse impact of harmful chemicals used in agriculture which make the environment harmful. New and more efficient technologies must be used in response to demand in order to meet growing problems in agriculture and guarantee the security of food and nutrition. One of the newest technologies is nanotechnology. Today it is thought that nanotechnology is the main force behind the current industrial revolution. The Greek word “nanos,” which literally translates to “dwarf” or “short,” is where the word “nano” originates. It is a measurement unit. Nano fertilizers can improve the roots of plants’ ability to absorb nutrients. Because nano particles have a bigger surface area than other sizes, they can interact more with plant roots and boost the uptake of other nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and more.
Nano-fertilizers have a delayed and accurate release of nutrient ions, which minimizes environmental effect and nutrient waste. It lessens the amount of fertilizer wasted. Nano fertilizers can lessen losses and increase nutrient efficiency, which can help reduce environmental contamination. The research from 2020 indicates that the synthesis stage has higher GHG (Green House Gas) emissions, averaging 2.68 t eq. he averages life cycle of energy consumption (LCEC) is around 30.1 GJ/t urea, with CO2 equivalent emissions of 2.41 t eq. CO2/t urea accounting for 81.3% of the life cycle of GHG emissions.
It is possible to replace 50% of regular urea with nano urea, which can cut greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50%. Nano Urea is a nanotechnology based revolutionary Agri-input which provides nitrogen to plants. When compared to conventional urea prill, it has a desirable particle size of about 20-50 nm and more surface area (10,000 times over 1 mm urea prill). In general, 46% of nitrogen is present in a 50 kg urea bag, while the overall nitrogen content is (50×0.46) 23 kg. Studies show that plants may absorb between 30 and 35 percent of nitrogen. Therefore, plants absorb (23×0.30) 7.5 kg of nitrogen overall from ordinary urea. Granular urea aggregates have an average size of 10,000 nm, while nano urea aggregates have an average size of around 25 nm. Thus, (10,000/25) 420 micro urea aggregate is equal to one granular urea aggregate. In one bottle of 500 ml nano fertilizer contain 4% nitrogen. According to the calculation, a 500 ml bottle has 20 grams of nitrogen; where18 grams of nitrogen is being used under 90% use efficiency. So, the nitrogen use efficiency is equivalent to (420×18.0) 7500 grams or 7.5 kg for nano urea which is equivalent to a 50 kg conventional urea bag. Urea is the most widely used fertilizer in the country. The need for urea fertilizer in FY 2022–2023 is estimated to be 26 lac Metric tons, but domestic production can only meet 10 lac Metric tons of this demand; the remaining 16 lac Metric tons must be imported. A 50 kg bag of urea costs 4,050 tk when the price of urea is taken into account, which is 81 tk per kg. Thus, in order to supply the entire demand for urea, over 21,000 crore tk are required. The cost of urea to the customer is 27 tk per kilogram, or 1,350 tk for 50 kg. When 26 lac Metric tons of consumer payments are calculated, it comes out to about 7,000 crores tk, with the government subsidizing the remaining 14,000 crore tk. However, the cost of 500 ml of nano urea (equivalent to 50 kg of urea) will be 50% less than that of conventional urea. When assuming that customer payment for nano urea is the same as for traditional urea, the total import value will save around 58% if nano urea is used to meet all urea demand. Additionally, government subsidies will decrease by nearly 87%.
Global response to India-made IFFCO Nano Liquid Fertilizers has been observed recently. The scientific world has expressed great enthusiasm for the effectiveness of nano liquid urea fertilizers, and their commercial application has started in India. Although the use of liquid fertilizers is not allowed in Bangladesh, like many others Argo chemical marketing companies Banglamark Limited have started lab test and field trials on IFFCO Nano urea and at the same time working for get the registration from the BARC.
Krishibid Muhammad Humayun Kabir is a Deputy Manager at Banglamark Limited
