Professor David Millar, Vice-Chancellor of the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies, has requested that the government consider subsidizing organic fertilizers for small and medium-scale farmers.
Rather than the customary subsidies for inorganic fertilizers, which alter the soil’s composition, he believes the government should consider rewarding farmers to switch to organic fertilizers in the long run.
As an agriculturist, Professor Millar believes it is unfortunate that successive governments continue to squander time debating “which government has brought in the most inorganic fertilizers.” Even more concerning, he said, is the fact that farmer associations in the country, who should know better, are also involved in fertilizer politics.
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Professor Millar explained that as about 70 percent of the farmers are small to medium scale farmers, it will be helpful to rather encourage the use of organic fertilizers. He argued that while inorganic fertilizers affect soil composition and take away from the soil, the organic fertilizers help build the soil explaining that after a certain time period, the soils may not even need fertilizers to produce enough food.
Professor Millar said there may not be a need to subsidize inorganic fertilizers for the large scale farmers who are financially sound and will be able to procure the fertilizers from the open market.
