Features

Escalating fertiliser prices and need for judicious use

Published

3 years ago

2022/10/3

By Dr Parakrama Waidyanatha

High Energy costs and the prevailing Ukrainian War have led to a huge increase in fertilizer prices, and farmers, especially in the developing countries, find it extremely difficult to provide the required fertiliser to crops. Natural gas prices account for 80% of the variable costs of the production of urea, the most widely used chemical fertiliser. Increased energy prices have been the main cause for increased prices of all key fertilisers as shown in the Table 1.

The Haber Bosch process of conversion of atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen is the main method of production of ammonia and consequently urea. The process has been optimised over the last century bringing down the energy consumption by 75%. A new type of ruthenium catalyst is reported to reduce the power consumption of ammonia production. Further an electrochemical Haber-Bosch process, yet under research (Fig.1) is reported to produce ammonia with far less energy and carbon dioxide consumption. The Siemen’s Green Ammonia Plant (Fig. 2), also still at a testing stage, uses wind power to convert hydrogen and nitrogen to ammonia. Apart from its huge energy consumption of 1-2% of the global energy, the carbon dioxide released in the Haber Bosch process amounting to 420 million tons annually or 1.4 % of the global carbon dioxide production is a key contributor to global warming. . Hopefully the new technologies should bring down the cost of production in the foreseeable future and also help mitigate global warming.

Russia and Ukraine are two of the key global fertiliser suppliers, and Russia was the world’s largest exporter of urea fertilizer and the second largest exporter of potash (K) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer before the Ukrainian war . Fertiliser prices shot up 60% with the war, and China tightened its control on fertiliser exports, primarily nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizers, effectively shutting off supplies to the global market, and contributing to the surge in prices.

Need for Judicious Fertilizer Use

More than 50% of the N fertilisers is wasted globally . Research reveals that 60-70% of the soil applied fertilisers are lost due to erosion, run off and vaporisation. In our country the losses are probably highest from tea plantations because of the sloping lands. Ironically because chemical fertilisers were relatively cheap and comprised a small fraction of the total cost of production, there was little concern about wastage. For example, a decade ago subsidised paddy fertiliser was only about 2.5% of the cost of production and the cost of application was3%! Given the current exorbitant cost of fertilisers it is critically important to minimise the waste. In other words fertiliser should be applied judiciously. At the Major Economic Forum on Energy and Climate Change(MEF),the US President has announced a ‘Global Fertiliser Challenge’ to raise USD 100 million towards increasing fertiliser use efficiency.

‘Little and often’ is an oft-uttered phrase in judicious fertiliser use. All it means is increase the frequency of application and correspondingly decrease the quantity per application. This should be one fundamental approach now taking into account the relative cost of application and that of the fertiliser. Appropriate placement of fertiliser and forking it into the soil should conserve it substantially. The International Fertiliser Development Corporation (IFDC) pioneered the development of the urea deep placement technology in several countries in Asia and Africa. It involved the application of 1-3 grams of urea briquettes seven centimetres deep below the soil surface, decreasing the urea use by 30% while increasing yields by 15% in rice. Notably, emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 40 times more potent than carbon dioxide, were decreased 60—80% through this technology. In Bangladesh, reports reveal that this technology helped more than 2.5 million farmers, and their earnings increased by $220 per hectare per season, and saving the government $30 million per year on fertilizer subsidy.

Foliar Nutrient application

Records reveal that the practice of foliar application of chemical fertiliser dates back to 1844. It has been a common practice to cure specific nutrient deficiencies but to my knowledge it is not a regular practice for providing the total crop nutrient requirements, the usual one being soil application. Apart from being a crop scientist, the writer is also a tea smallholder with about a hectare of mature tea in plucking. With the banning of chemical fertiliser imports in 2021 and the rapid increase in fertilizer costs, I was at a loss as to how I could fertilise my tea. Being left with only a few bags of chemical fertiliser in my store from the pervious year, I decided to use it judiciously via foliar application. As already mentioned 60-70% of the fertiliser is reported to be lost via soil application. I sprayed over the last year in 10 rounds a 5% fertiliser solution comprising urea, muriate of potash and 1%zincsulphate. As the rockphosphate component in the mixture was insoluble, the solution was filtered and the insoluble rock phosphate was removed. So the mixture did not exceed 5% concentration, the usual maximum nutrient concentration recommended for foliar application. Having applied rock phosphate over the last several years, I was aware that the soil phosphorus levels should be adequate at least for an year. Further, response to phosphate fertiliser application is rarely observed in mature tea but should phosphorus be needed it could be incorporated in the foliar spray. Research reveals that triple superphosphate though soluble is not suitable for foliar application. Further, as shown in Table 2, the leaf penetration of phosphorus is very slow and hence the risk of wash off by rain is high, whereas nitrogen and potassium are quite rapid. Ideally an annual soil application of rock phosphate or a foliar application of a nutrient such as potassium phosphate in good weather appears to be the answer. In fact, potassium phosphate should be able to replace the muriate of potash in the rock phosphate in the conventional tea fertiliser mixtures in foliar fertilizer formulations. Alternatively, a soluble fertiliser such as diammonium phosphate could provide the phosphorus as well as nitrogen.

The foliar application has now proceeded for over an year in my farm and to my satisfaction, I have got a fresh leaf yield of 10,212kg (approximately 20424 kg made tea) comparable to what was obtained in the previous years.

The cost saving with foliar application is substantial being as high as 50% as seen from Table 3, some figures of which are hypothetical. The retail chemical fertiliser price has been considered as Rs 80 a kilo, the price of zinc sulphate as Rs 750 a kilo and the daily labour wage of Rs 1,000 as paid in the plantations.. Of course this is a mere observation and sustainability of the method needs investigation. Will the root systems complain when leaves take over its job? Ideally, the agricultural research institutes should research on the matter for accurate results and sustainability.

Nanofertilisers

Nanofertilisers comprise fertilizers with particle sizes smaller than 100 nanometers, facilitating entry into plants far more effectively than conventional fertilisers.There are reported to increase nutrient use efficiency, reduce wastage and increase crop productivity. They are synthesised from traditional fertiliser compounds by encapsulating fertiliser particles with nanomaterial and are reported to reduce the use of conventional fertiliser by more than 50%. They are also reported to be taken up more effectively during foliar application. As far as the writer is aware the production of nanofertilisers are yet essentially at a research stage but its potential appears enormous.

However, an Indian farmer organization called IFFCO is reported to market a nanourea fertiliser containing 4% urea at a price of Indian Rs. 240 per 500ml bottle supposedly with the same efficacy as a 50-kilo bag of conventional urea but 10% cheaper! Apparently, this was the product that was imported by the government last year following the banning of chemical fertiliser imports and distributed among farmers. However, the farmers complained that the product did not work!

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Features

‘Silent Majority’ abandoned to Long-suffering in regional conflicts

Published

20 hours ago

2025/05/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

People of the Gaza strip gather to collect food. (Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock)

With reports emerging that India has attacked some ‘sites’ in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the question could be posed whether the stage has just been set for yet another costly India-Pakistan military conflict. Sensible opinion in South Asia could only hope that wise counsel would sooner rather than later come to prevail on both sides of the divide and that they would draw back from the brink of full-scale war.

The states concerned ought to know fully well the possible wide-ranging weighty consequences of another regional conflict. It should be plain to see that it would benefit none in the two theatres of confrontation, most particularly the relevant publics or the ‘Silent Majority’.

In fact, in connection with the mentioned initial military attacks, the Pakistani side has gone on record that some civilian lives have been lost. Such losses could burgeon in the event of full scale hostilities. These costs could of course be staggering and unimaginable in the event the nuclear option is resorted to by the sides, going forward.

Accordingly, the hope of the peace-loving world-wide is likely to be that India and Pakistan would give negotiations a chance and resolve their differences peacefully. It would be in the best interests of the world for the champions of peace to join their voices to that of UN chief Antonio Guterres and call on the sides to negotiate an end to their differences.

The utter helplessness and misery of the people of the Gaza ought to drive home afresh the horrors of war. Currently the news is that the Gazans are literally starving to death. Food and other essentials provided by UN agencies are reportedly being prevented by Israel from getting to the hapless people of Gaza. So dire is their situation that concerned quarters are calling on the compassionate worldwide to provide the Gazans with food, water and other essentials voluntarily. This SOS would need to be heeded forthwith.

Accordingly, it could be inferred that most formal arrangements, including those that are generally under the purview of the UN, geared to providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the needy, have, for all intents and purposes, been rendered ineffective in the Gaza. The UN cannot be faulted for this state of things; rather, Israel should be held accountable in the main for it.

The matter of accountability is central to the dramatic slide into lawlessness the world has been experiencing over the past few decades. As could be seen, International Law is no longer fully applicable in the conflict and war zones of the world because it is not being adhered to by many state and non-state aggressors. That the UN is hapless in the face of such lawlessness is plain to see.

We have of course the Middle East wherein International Law has fallen silent for quite a while. How could it be otherwise, when Israeli aggressions are being winked at by the US, for which the policy of backing Israel is almost sacrosanct?

Moreover, under President Donald Trump, it is difficult to see the US changing policy course on the Middle East. Trump made vague promises of bringing peace to the region in the run-up to his reelection but has done nothing concrete by way of peace-making. Consequently, complete lawlessness prevails in the Middle East. US policy towards Israel counts as another example of how the self- interest of US central administrations blinds them to their international obligations, in this case Middle East peace.

However, the commentator could be criticized as being biased if he holds only Israel responsible for what has befallen the Middle East. It has been the position of this columnist that Israel’s security needs should be taken cognizance of by its state and non-state adversaries in the Middle East and acted upon if the basis is to be laid for a durable Middle East peace. Inasmuch as Palestinian statehood must be guaranteed, the same should be seen as applicable to Israel. The latter too enjoys the right to live in a secure state of its own, unopposed by its neighbours.

The Ukraine of today is also sad testimony to the ill consequences of powerful, aggressor states wantonly disregarding International Law and its obligations. Nothing could justify Russia in invading Ukraine and subjecting it to a condition of Longsuffering. Clearly, Ukraine’s sovereignty has been violated and such excesses go to the heart of the current state of ‘International Disorder’. Of course the same stricture applies to the US in relation to its military misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq, to name just two such modern examples.

There is no ducking the fact, then, that civilian publics in the mentioned theatres of war and outside, are being subjected to the worst suffering as a consequence of the big powers’ self-aggrandizement schemes and military misadventures. Longsuffering becomes the tragic lot of the people who have nothing to do with such unbridled power ambitions.

One would not be exaggerating the case if he states that civilian publics count for almost nothing in the present ‘International Disorder’. Increasingly it is becoming evident that from the viewpoint of the big powers and authoritarian governments the people are of little or no importance. Considering that self-aggrandizement is of the paramount interest for the former the public interest is coming to be seen as inconsequential.

Consequently, not much of a case could be made currently for the once almost reverentially spoken of ‘Social Contract’. For, the public interest does not count for much in the scrambles for power among the major powers who are seen at the popular level as the principal history-makers.

It is in view of the above that much is expected of India. Today the latter is a ‘Swing State’ of the first importance. Besides being a major democracy, it is one of the world’s principal economic and military powers. It possesses abundant potential to help to put things right in international politics. If there is one state in Asia that could help in restoring respect for International Law, it is India.

Considering the above, India, one believes, is obliged to bear the responsibility of keeping South Asia free of any more long-running, wasting wars that could aggravate the material hardships and socio-economic blights of the region. Thus, India would need to consider it imperative to negotiating peace with Pakistan.

Features

Memorable happening … Down Under

Published

20 hours ago

2025/05/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Lyceum swimmers at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Under the Global-Ise Australia Advanced Sports Development Programme, a delegation of 15 swimmers from Lyceum International School, Wattala, had the remarkable opportunity to train and experience high-performance sports development in Melbourne, Australia.

The 10-day programme was carefully curated to offer intensive training, educational exposure, and cultural experiences for the young athletes.

The swimmers underwent specialised training through Swimming Victoria’s elite programme, held at some of Melbourne’s premier aquatic facilities.

Visit to Victorian Parliament

Each day began as early as 5:00 a.m. and continued until 7:00 p.m., ensuring a rigorous and enriching schedule that mirrored the standards of international competitive swimming.

Beyond training, the programme offered a wide array of experiences to broaden the students’ horizons.

Morning training

The tour group explored iconic landmarks such as the Victorian Parliament and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and enjoyed shopping at Chadstone – The Fashion Capital. They also experienced the natural beauty of Victoria with visits to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, and Cardinia Reservoir Park, where they observed kangaroos in their natural habitat.

An academic highlight of the tour was the group’s exclusive visits to three of Australia’s leading universities: the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and Deakin University. These visits aimed to inspire students and showcase the vast educational opportunities available in Australia.

Checking out the scene at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

As part of the cultural immersion, Global-Ise hosted a traditional Australian BBQ at the Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully. The students also enjoyed a variety of diverse culinary experiences each evening, further enriching their understanding of local and international food cultures.

The tour concluded with a celebratory dinner at the Spicy Wicket Restaurant, where each participant received a presentation in recognition of their involvement.

Enjoying an Aussie BBQ for lunch

The evening was made especially memorable by the presence of Pradeepa Saram, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Victoria.

Global-Ise Management—Ken Jacobs, Johann Jayasinha, and Dr Luckmika Perera (Consultant from the University of Melbourne)—did a magnificent job in planning and the execution of the advanced sports programme.

Coaches from Sri Lanka presenting a plaque to Global-Ise Management team
Ken Jacobs (centre), Johann Jayasinha, and Dr Luckmika Perera (on the right

Features

Bright, Smooth Skin

Published

20 hours ago

2025/05/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hi! How’s the beauty scene keeping with you?

Phew, this heat is awful but there is nothing that we can do about it.

However, there are ways and means to take care of your skin and I will do my best to help you in every way I can.

Well, this week, let’s go for a Bright, Smooth Skin.

Gram flour (also known as besan) is a traditional skincare ingredient known for its:

* Natural exfoliating properties.

* Ability to absorb excess oil.

* Gentle brightening and tan-removal effects.

* Suitability for all skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.

You will need 01–02 tablespoons gram flour (besan) and rose water, or raw milk, to make a paste.

You could add the following two as optional add-ins: A pinch of turmeric (for extra glow), and a few drops of lemon juice (for oily skin and pigmentation)

Add the gram flour to a small bowl and mix in the rose water (for oily/sensitive skin) or raw milk (for dry skin) slowly.

Stir well to make a smooth, spreadable paste—not too thick, not too runny.

Now apply this mixture, evenly, to your damp face and neck, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes (don’t let it dry completely if you have dry skin).

Gently massage in circular motions using wet fingers—this helps exfoliate.

Rinse off with lukewarm water, and then pat your skin dry.

Use it 02–03 times a week for best results.

Skin Benefits:

* Removes dirt, sweat, and oil without stripping natural moisture.

* Gently exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin.

* Brightens the complexion and fades mild tanning.

* Helps clear clogged pores and reduce pimples.

* Leaves skin fresh and glowing—perfect for humid climates.