Field Day organized in Bolpur, Birbhum

Visva Bharati University and IPNI jointly organized a field day at Bolpur, Birbhum (West Bengal, India) to describe the importance of balanced fertilization. The University is conducting an experiment to better understand the nutrient dynamics and responses in the rice - rice - black gram cropping sequence. The project outcome shows that balanced nutrient application increases the grain yield over omission of any major nutrients. As a part of the project, a field day was organized after the completion of the second year. Dr. Sudarshan Dutta, deputy director, South Asia described the 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept in a farmer-friendly manner. The video, "4R Nutrient Stewardship of Rice," was also shown to farmers. Officials from the State Department of Agriculture and scientists from Visva Bharati University were also present and shared their experience with farmers during the field day program. By the end of the program, more than 50 farmers expressed interest in following the balanced fertilization approach through 4R Nutrient Stewardship.