Baurs makes progressive efforts towards knowledge-sharing on organic-agri transition
Soon after Sri Lanka’s decision to ban synthetic fertilisers and other agrochemicals, A. Baur & Co. ( Pvt.) Ltd., widely known as Baurs, contracted a senior team of scientists and researchers from two world renowned research institutions in Switzerland specialising in organic agriculture who visited the country on a 10-day diverse study during early August.
During their visit, they observed numerous possible sources of organic waste that could be utilised for fertilisation and was impressed by many activities and studies carried out in crop management and compost production which are however presently only at a niche, experimental stage, hinting that their large-scale implementation has a long way to go.
They encountered a set of complex issues, especially to do with the type of crop. Some crops such as spices or rubber for instance will relatively have an easy and quick growing in an organic system whereas crucial crops like rice and tea would experience more difficulty to adapt to a production system without usage of mineral fertilisers, citing particularly due to their high nitrogen demand, stressing that it is the fertilisation of this element (N) that is the bottleneck in a system without synthetic fertilizers.
‘ We are making great progress in taking the lead on putting together scientific and professional expertise and knowledge in the organic fertilizer challenge through meaningful strategic collaborations. There is a lot to expect in the coming weeks with this ongoing study,’ said Rolf Blaser, Managing Director/CEO of A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd.
The preliminary report suggested steps in how to succeed in this ecological transition, recommending that farmers must be provided with options for soil fertility management for the ongoing Maha season. It also stressed and listed numerous measures in managing the system change effectively without implementing too hastilyas it could impose a higher risk of failure.