N, P and K Fertilizer Consumption Status and Cropping Intensity in Murshidabad district, India

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the status of N,P, and K fertilizer consumption and cropping intensity in the Murshidabad district for 17 years, from 2000-01 to 2017-18. For this purpose, CAGR, Gibbs-Martin Index, MLR model, and Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient were employed. The result showed that - i) The consumption of nitrogen (N) fertilizer at 75,642 metric tonnes, P at 39, 762 metric tonnes, and K at 33, 875 metric tonnes during 2017-18 registered an increase of 2.19 per cent, 2.20 per cent, and 1.47 per cent, respectively, over 2000-01 while cropping intensity ramped up from 223 (in 2000-01) to 245 (in 2017-18) per cent with the increase of 0.55 per cent. ii) On average, Khargram, Sagardighi, Murshidabad-Jiaganj, Nabagram, and Burwan were the highest NPK consumers, whereas Beldanga-I, Berhampore, Beldanga-II, Murshidabad-Jiaganj, and Lalgola were considered as the highest C.I contributors. iii) Fertilizer use intensity increased dramatically from 128.32 kg/ha to 152.68 kg/ha, with a geographical pattern of low in the south and high in the west and south-west.iv) In 2017-18, the N, P, and K usage ratio was 2.23:1.17:1 relative to 1.88:1.04:1 in 2000-01.v) Higher or lower use of N, P, and K had no significant influence on cropping (agricultural) intensity. In addition, the study indicated that organic manure was being used by the farmers, and green manure crop like Dhaincha was progressively gaining popularity in the region. Because of the unanticipated population growth, balanced consumption of chemical fertilizers (N, P, and K) and harvest intensity are crucial to boosting agricultural production, food security, and ecological sustainability