January 15, 2010
China's over-use of fertilisers a serious environmental concern
Excessive use of fertilisers has resulted in serious pollution in China and there is a need for farmers there to cut its dependence on chemical fertilisers by 50%.
Not many people are aware that agriculture is the largest polluter in China, which should be a subject for serious concern, said Wen Tiejun, head of the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China.
Chemical fertilisers had helped China to feed its population despite limited farmland, but excessive application had led to low farmland efficiency and serious pollution, according to a research report issued by the school and Greenpeace on Thursday (Jan 14).
The report said Chinese farmers used 40% more fertilisers than crops needed, resulting in about 10 million tonnes of fertiliser every year being discharged into water, polluting China's rivers and lakes.
China produced 24% of the world's total grain output, but its use of fertiliser accounted for about 35% of total global consumption.
The report also urged the government to reduce subsidies to fertiliser makers and called for more support for farmers who use animal waste.