A seminar on nitrogen use in South Asian agriculture was held Wednesday at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) auditorium in Gazipur, titled "Nitrogen Scenario in South Asian Agriculture Losses, Use Efficiency and Feasibility of Halving N Wastage."
The event addressed nitrogen management a key challenge to sustainable farming in the region.
Dr. Md. Monowar Karim Khan, President of the Soil Science Society of Bangladesh, presided over the seminar. Discussants included GAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. GKM Mustafizur Rahman, BRRI Director General Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, soil scientists Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam and Prof. Dr. M. Jahiruddin, and BRRI Director (Administration and Common Service) Dr. Aminul Islam. Prof. Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman of GAU's Soil Science Department presented the keynote paper. BRRI division and station heads, scientists, researchers, academics and society members also attended.
In his keynote, Rahman outlined current patterns of nitrogen use and loss in South Asian agriculture, noting low efficiency and its environmental and economic costs. He called for improving nitrogen use efficiency through slow-release fertilizers such as USG and neem-coated urea, organic amendments like biochar and vermicompost, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and nano urea.
Participants committed to strengthening research cooperation to reduce nitrogen losses with improve nutrient efficiency to protect the environment and support sustainable food production across South Asia.
