Global warning: Nitro fertilizers are doing most harm

"Nitrogen fertilizers are causing more global warming than carbon emission. One atom of nitro oxide which goes into the atmosphere via these fertilizers is 271 times hotter than a carbon atom," warned Kapil Shah of Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI).

Shah was interacting with the farmers who had come from all parts of India to attend the third national conference on organic farming, organised at Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra near Anand.

The theme this year was, 'Cool farming for hot planet'. About 800 farmers, scientists, social workers and NGO officials attended the first day of the conference. It was held inside an organic farm spread across 40 acres.

Shah urged farmers to stay away from chemical based fertilizers and genetically modified (GM) seeds, in order to ensure a better tomorrow. He enlightened the audience about the recommendations made by RK Pachauri in the climate report submitted to the UN.

"It clearly suggests that 33% of gases responsible for global warming are produced by the food system, including the transport, packaging and logistics." Shah stated that it will take another 50 years to undo the damage that has been done to the ecology and nature over the past several years.

To support what Shah said, a scientist in microbiology, OP Rupela, explained to the farmers that carbon and nitrogen are the essentials required to be present in any soil. So we should prevent their release into the air and try to keep them inside the earth.

"Government knows the fact that fertilizers are causing global warming, still they are giving subsidy to these farmers. A bag of urea is given Rs1,700 subsidy so that farmers are able to buy it for just Rs250," said Rupela who thinks it is high time we start implementing organic methods, which includes use of manure, rotten leaves, bio wastes of animals and wormy compost instead of fertilizers and pesticides.  

Sarvdaman Patel, owner of the Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra, explained the benefits of flies, birds and herbs as natural pesticides. "It is a myth that we cannot control the pests without chemicals, or cannot grow enough food without the use of fertilizers. The Indian government has to stop promoting the use of fertilizers and other deadly substances in farming," opined Patel who did his MS in agronomy form University of Wisconsin, USA, in 1974.

He has dedicated his life to organic farming ever since and believes that the government should take steps to promote farming without the use of chemical substances. It should formulate a policy to promote organic farming.