Multinational chemical fertiliser producing firms were obstructing the formulation of a national policy to use organic fertilisers in farming for enhance food production in the country, claimed Dr Arshad, a Faisalabad Agriculture University fertiliser specialist.
The expert who has been awarded gold medals from a number of foreign universities for his path-finding work in molecular biology, spoke during the eight-day thematic workshop on molecular biology and the use of bio-fertilisers, which was opened at Comstech Palace of Science, here on Tuesday. Dr, Arshad said the country was lagging behind in crop production because it has failed to use bio-organics, and also because it had no bio-fertiliser factory.
The use of organic fertilisers in the country is limited because the government is not encouraging its use. 'A firm government policy to induce farmers to use bio-organics is essential to increase food production by at least, 90 per cent.' Dr Arshad considered it a pity that the country had not set up a factory to produce bio-organic fertilisers.
Speaking of shortage of land Dr Ghulam Qadir Khan, an Australian expert of Pakistan origin said that the country's best agriculture lands had been polluted by waste materials thrown by big factories and the potential of our land to produce crops was decreasing by every passing day.
The scientist said bio-fertilisers, a blend of live, biologically active and efficient bacteria provide plant nutrients at cheaper cost when compared with chemical fertilisers, and releases active bio-molecules which accelerate plant growth.
A Bangladesh delegate, Dr Sattar, informed the workshop that in his country organic fertilisers had been applied with great benefit and the production of legumes (daal) had increased by more than 50 per cent. He claimed Bangladesh had two organic fertilisers factories set up by Bangladesh Institute for Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) whereas Pakistan has none.
The Libyan delegate, Rafique Mabruk, claimed that in his country composite facilities were provided in agriculture farms along the artificial man-made river of his country. Ismail Ahmad said his country Sudan was also promoting research in the field of indigenous organic fertilisers. A delegate, Asier Akled, from the Syrian Atomic Commission added that his country was using industrial enzymes for increased cropping.
A number of university students doing research in molecular biology were invited to provide inputs based on their experience. Dr Anwar Nasim, Comstech scientific adviser inaugurated the workshop. In his inaugural remarks he welcomed the eight foreign delegates as well as 20 Pakistani experts, taking part in the interactive event, and said it was an example of growing interaction among scientists of the Muslim world.
It was also evident that scientists were engaged in increasing lifelines for the ever-increasing population in Muslim countries where growth was over stepping resources. Dr Nasim reflected that the business of fertilisers was a complex phenomenon and called for multiple disciplinary actions to convince farmers to use organic bio-fertilisers while farming.
The scientific adviser was especially pleased with the awareness in Muslim countries in molecular biology and the presence of a large number of foreign delegates and science students from local universities, which proved the point that we are all eager to understand the application of science in daily life.
Among other foreign delegates attending the workshop are Mazin Nazar Fadhel from Iraq; Khandhar Mohul Alam, Mohammed Moshurruf, and A T M Shamsuddoha from Bangladesh, as well as Dr Abbas Biabani from Iran.