Katalyst :: Fertilizer

Fertilizer emerged as a cross-sector component following analysis undertaken in several agricultural value chain sectors (maize, potato and vegetable) within the Katalyst portfolio, which revealed the link between lack of access to quality inputs and information regarding their usage, and farmer under-performance.

With intensified crop production, high-yielding crop varieties, and an over-dependency on chemical inputs, soil fertility in Bangladesh has gradually decreased. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) has found the level of organic content in soil to be at a critical low of 1%. The balanced application of fertilizer – defined as a ratio of macro-, micro-, and organically-derived nutrients – will replenish the diminishing organic and micro-nutrient content of the soil, prevent the stagnation and decline of land productivity, and halt the rising spend on subsidised chemical fertilizers at farm level. Improved soil health will ultimately lead to sustainable growth in output and increased yields (10-20% for maize and vegetable) and lower production costs (and so increased profitability). The major constraints in the fertilizer sector are: a) Imbalanced use of fertilizer resulting in reduced profitability and an impediment to growth; b) Weaknesses in the industry-wide regulatory framework and c) Weaknesses pertaining to the availability of quality fertilizers and low awareness of their correct usage.

Strategy

Katalyst will facilitate the market players in the fertilizer sector to encourage small and marginal poor farmers to adapt their on-farm agricultural input practices and take on a more balanced approach to fertilizer application, with a view to increasing output and improving soil health.

Intervention Areas

Increasing awareness of balanced doses and quality of fertilizers

Katalyst will use a well-established retailer-training model to increase farmers’ access to prudent advice on balanced fertilizer combination and application. In collaboration with the Soil Resource development Institute (SRDI), Katalyst has developed the fertilizer recommendation software (FRS) which is able to provide farmers with information on appropriate fertilizer dosage using the ICT/call centre services of GrameenPhone and Banglalink. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) officers will be encouraged to use and recommend the guide. Fertilizer companies and their associated retailer networks will work together to ensure that information on balanced fertilizer usage is embedded within their relationships with each other and carried onwards from the retailers to the customers. Katalyst will also support compost producers to roll out promotional activities and increase marketing efforts in order to stimulate demand for the product.
Increasing the availability of quality fertilizers

Katalyst aims to increase the popularity and market take-up of the trichoderma composting method to reduce compost production cycle times and enhance environmental benefits. Furthermore, farmer level compost production with better technologies will be encouraged through provision of information and training at the farmer-level.
Facilitating an industry-friendly regulatory framework

Under this area, Katalyst is working with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to improve coordination among its agencies in addressing issues related to the country’s agricultural productivity and soil fertility. Further work with these institutions will reinforce the implementation of the Fertilizer Act 2006. In addition, Katalyst will liaise with relevant government institutions to improve systems related to soil fertility and the fertilizer distribution system in the country.

Co-facilitators and Partners

Katalyst will work with SRDI, DAE, compost producers and non-organic fertilizer companies, MoA, and telecom companies as appropriate.