Studies on Policy Option for Quality Seed Production and ... - NFPCSP

4.2.18 Percent of farmers using fertilizers for wheat cultivation (2008-09)The survey results reveal that the highest percentage of large farmers in Rajshahi had applied the majornutrients containing fertilizers like urea, triple super phosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MP) andgypsum (74%, 100%, 95%, 74% and 76% farmers, respectively). The percentages of farmers those whoapplied the organic manure/cowdung at the same wheat fields were 74%, 54% and 38% large, mediumand small farmers, respectively (Table 4.2.17). The percentage of manure and fertilizers applying smallfarmers were lowest except the farmers applying urea (38%, 37%, 11% and 32% farmers for cowdung,TSP, MP and gypsum fertilizers, respectively). Besides, the number of micronutrient applying farmerswas also very scanty, only 5% and 2% large and medium farmer, respectively in Rajshahi. Thecowdung, urea, TSP, MP, gypsum and Boron applied farmers were 90%, 100%, 71%, 73%, 53% and14%, respectively in Dinajpur and 93%, 100%, 90%, 84%, 68% and 9%, respectively in Rangpur. Thedata also show that a negligible percentage of farmers applied Boron fertilizers and that no farmersapplied zinc related fertilizers at their field for wheat production. The large and medium farmers wereseemed to be more motivated in applying Boron-containing fertilizers compared to small farmers overall study sites. In all the study areas, 79% farmers applied cowdung as manure while 100%, 76%, 69%,59% and 8% farmer used urea, TSP, MP, gypsum and boron fertilizers, respectively.Table 4.2.17 Percent of farmers using fertilizers for wheat cultivation at the study areas (2008-09)Farmers’ category% Farmers applied fertilizers in wheatCowdung Urea TSP MP Gypsum BoronRajshahiLarge 74 100 95 74 76 5Medium 54 100 68 61 58 2Small 38 100 37 11 32 0CV (%) 21.3 - 27.2 25.7 20.8 10.3Average 55 100 67 49 55 2DinajpurLarge 87 100 81 94 73 21Medium 91 100 77 79 59 17Small 93 100 55 47 28 4Average 90 100 71 73 53 14CV (%) 12.1 - 23.7 21.9 26.3 14.5RangpurLarge 94 100 100 100 83 10Medium 89 100 91 87 78 14Small 97 100 78 66 42 2Average 93 100 90 84 68 9CV (%) 11.7 - 17.3 19.7 15.9 16.7Average (all sites) 79 100 76 69 59 84.2.19 Seed and fertilizer application rate for wheat grain cultivationAlthough the optimum seed rates for wheat might vary with variety, location and method of plantingbut the corresponding recommended seed rates along with balanced fertilization should be followed forobtaining high yield and for improving the grain/seed quality. The data presented in Table 4.2.18 showthat the seed rates used by the farmers were comparatively higher than that of recommended rate at allsites. The applied average seed rate for all sites was 156 kg/ha that was much higher than that of61