Between 1965 and 1990 many other programmes were implemented to increase fertiliser consumption in low consuming areas by the government. Simultaneously, the state governments launched their own programme like pilot projects, area-development work, etc. which were aimed at promoting higher fertiliser use. The fertiliser industry, with the encouragement of the centre, state governments and the Fertiliser Association of India, not only participated in these projects actively but alsoimplemented its own programmes of promoting brand image of various products and taking up area-development work.

During the last six-seven years, particularly after decontrol of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, the issues relating to price and subsidies of fertiliser have kept everybody busy and hardly any new programmes aimed at promoting fertiliser use have been undertaken by the government of India and the state governments. This is not a desirable situation. We must increase our fertiliser consumption to 400 to 500-kg levels per hectares in the next seven to eight years in order to double the production of various crops.

The basic initiative for promoting the use of fertiliser in weaker areas must come from the central and state governments because it is a well accepted principle that basic promotion involving extension work is the responsibility of the government. Manufacturers can always make their own contribution but cannot take the place of the government.

Although the base of fertiliserconsumption is now high, there are still some areas where greater effort is necessary. The highest fertiliser nutrient consuming district in 1996-97 was Ferozepur with 1,71,000 tonne nutrient consumption. The least fertiliser consuming district was Begusarai in Bihar with 25,000 tonne consumption. Almost every state figures in the last 27 districts in ranking in terms of fertiliser consumption where the consumption is less than 29,000 tones of nutrients per year. A typical case is that of Andhra Pradesh where districts like Krishna, West Godavari, Guntur, East Godavari, Nalagonda, Warangal and Kurnool figure in the first 14 high consuming districts, whereas districts like Srikakulum, Vizianagaram, Medak and Chittoor figure in the list of least fertiliser consuming districts. The same is true in the case of Mahrashtra, Punjab, UP and Gujarat, the leading fertiliser consuming states.

It is necessary to take up meaningful programmes to promote fertiliser use in 35 to 40 districts spread all over the countrywhere consumption base is very poor.

Another important aspect of fertiliser promotion apart from increase in quantity is to increase the efficient use of various nutrients. Normally one tonne of fertiliser material helps in increasing the crop yields by 4 to 5 tonnes. This can be further improved to a level of 5 to 6 tonnes by efficient use. Secondly the need to look beyond NPK and make good the growing deficiency of sulphur, zinc, boron and iron so as to heighten the good effect of NPK is now well established. Therefore the thrust of fertiliser promotion programme should be to increase the quantity use in low consuming 40 districts and to increase the use efficiency in the 40 high consuming districts.

Over the years, fertiliser manufacturers have undertaken a variety of fertiliser-promotion programmes including farmer's meetings, crop seminars, demonstration on farmers fields, audio-visual programmes and educational films. Point of sale publicity, wall paintings which are now being copied by consumerindustry, soil testing and use of recommended fertilisers based on soil data, area development programmes etc. The outstanding contribution in this regard has come from almost all manufacturers. The area development work has been particularly noteworthy because it has been undertaken in backward areas.

Apart from increasing the crop yield manifold through such programmes, the social status of the farming community has radically changed and the financial positions have substantially improved. However, all the achievements have been possible because of encouragement from the government of India and the states.

As we think of doubling our crop yields, we must plan to double our fertiliser consumption and, more importantly, to utilise our organic manure and chemical fertiliser resources appropriately to get the best results. There is no scope for complacency on this front and immediate steps will have to be taken to take up district-wise fertiliser consumption projects in 80 districts.

The author is adirector with Rama Phosphates Limited