Innovations in the Mechanization of Fertilizer Deep Placement
Date
2023-04-18
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Abstract
Fertilizers are crucial for enhancing crop productivity, significantly contributing to India's agricultural growth amidst limited arable land and irrigation resources. Despite a 14-fold increase in fertilizer consumption, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in India remains critically low at less than 30%, resulting in substantial economic and environmental losses. To address these challenges, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in collaboration with various stakeholders, has developed an innovative seed-and-fertilizer drill as part of the Assessment of State Fertilizer Scenario and Promoting Efficient Nutrient Management (ASPEN) project. This machine facilitates fertilizer deep placement (FDP), optimizing the application of NPK briquettes at an ideal depth of 5-6 cm, which improves rice productivity by 30% while reducing nitrogen losses and labor demands. The initiative not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also aims to transition farmers to an incentive-based production system through potential carbon credit opportunities.
Description
Keywords
Deep placement
Citation
Saharawat, Y.S., and U. Singh. 2023. “Innovations in Mechanization of Fertilizer Deep Placement,” https://ifdc.org/2023/04/18/innovations-in-the- mechanization-of-fertilizer-deep-placement/