Bangladesh faces a toxic farming crisis as chemical fertilizers threaten food safety

Agricultural experts in Bangladesh have raised concerns over the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can impact health equity. At a recent programme, they called for stricter controls to protect public health and ensure safer food production.

The event highlighted the risks of heavy metals in fertilizers and the need for greener farming methods in agriculture.

Professor Mohammad Shahjahan Manjil from Bangladesh Agricultural University delivered the keynote paper. He warned that chemical fertilizers often contain harmful metals like lead, chromium, and cadmium, which can enter the food chain and contribute to long-term health problems.

The discussion revealed that Bangladesh uses around 5 million tonnes of chemical fertilizers each year. Many of these fail to meet quality standards, with urea fertilizer lacking the required 46% nitrogen and TSP fertilizer falling short of 21% phosphorus. Experts also noted a lack of reliable data on organic plant protection products used in 2022.

Professor Md Alimul Islam, vice-chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University, attended as the chief guest. Participants stressed the importance of reducing chemical inputs and adopting safer alternatives. They recommended organic fertilizers, integrated pest management, and pheromone traps as eco-friendly solutions.

To improve food safety, the experts urged better oversight from farm to market. They called for modern management practices, greater transparency, and stricter measures against adulteration in agricultural products.

The programme concluded with a clear message: cutting chemical fertilizer and pesticide use is vital for health equity. Authorities were encouraged to promote sustainable farming techniques and enforce stricter quality controls. These steps aim to balance food security with safer production methods.