Excessive Use of Fertilizers and Plant Protection Chemicals in Paddy and Its Economic Impact in Tungabhadra Project Command Area of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Nitrogenous fertilizers and plant protection chemicals have been universally accep ted as an integral part of package of practice for raising Indian agriculture to higher technological plank. The excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers has resulted in higher plant protection chemicals and has further resulted in heavy economic loss. In order to examine different dimensions of economic aspects of selected inputs, a study was carried out in Tungabhaa Project (TBP) area of Karnataka during the year 2011-12 for which multis tage random sampling design was employed for a sample size of 90 farmers. The study revealed that the extent of application of insecticides increased from 5413 mL/g a. i/ha to 7338 mL/g a. i/ha, fungicides application from 805 mL/g a. i/ha to 1283 mL/g a. i/ha and weedicides from 4853mL/g a. i/ha to 7625 mL/ g a. i/ha from level 1 (upto 50% recommended dose of nitrogen) to level 3(>100% recommended dose of nitrogen), respectively. Further, per acre excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers and plant protection chemicals ranged from 24. 61kg to 79. 08 kg and 1321. 37 mL/g active ingredient to 2687. 65 mL/g respectively from level 1 to level 3, respectively in paddy cultivation. The estimated economic loss due to excess use of nitrogenous and plant protection chemicals for the TBP area as a whole was Rs. 8618. 4 lakhs. Majority of farmers were unaware of recommended dose, quantity of application and illeffects of these inputs. Thus, emphasis must be given for adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and needs promotion through different extension strategies to minimize the losses.