Md. Masum, Tongibari (Munshiganj)

In order to ensure rational use of chemical fertilizers in potato production in Munshiganj district, a total of 25 exhibitions are being implemented in different unions of Tongibari upazila under the supervision of Munshiganj District Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Agriculturist Biplob Kumar Mohanty.

In the 25 exhibitions, three different levels of fertilizers were applied in trial plots and 8 exhibitions named Exhibition-1, 9 exhibitions named Exhibition-2 and 8 exhibitions named Exhibition-3 have been implemented, out of which one exhibition of Exhibition-2 and one exhibition of Exhibition-3 were visited by Mr. Md. Shawkat Osman, Director of Dhaka Khamarbari Agricultural Extension Department (Crops Wing), Munshiganj District Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Agriculturist Biplob Kumar Mohanty.

At this time, sample crops were harvested by lifting potatoes from 20 square meters of the trial plot and control plot of the exhibition. After observing the yield of the two exhibitions, it was seen that the potato yield in the trial plot was higher than that of the farmer's plot. After the sample crop was harvested, Md. Shawkat Osman highlighted the rationality of using balanced fertilizers in potato cultivation to the farmers present in the field and advised them to inform the farmers around about the experience gained by the farmers through the implementation of the exhibition in the rational use of fertilizers in potatoes. Test plots were established in every 500 m2 of the field using three different levels of fertilizers. 10-15 kg less fertilizer was used per plot compared to the farmer's normal fertilizer use.

The results of demonstration plot 3 were very good where urea fertilizer was given at 8.75 kg, DAP - 5 kg and potash fertilizer 7.5 kg per 500 m2 of the area.

In each plot, the yield was higher by using less fertilizer compared to the farmer's plot. Tongibari Upazila Agriculture Officer Zainul Alam Talukder provided overall support to the invited guests during the field visit. Agriculturist Md. Imtiaz Jahan Khan, Md. Riazul Islam Siam, Md. Mahbub Ullah and many others were present.