Iran Experts Warn Fertilizers Harming People, Environment

Tehran, Sept 27, IRNA - The amount of fertilizers used by Iranian farmers has increased threefold in recent years, giving rise to concerns about food health. Experts believe extensive efforts should be made to improve food health, which is one of the most important indices of development. Saeed Soleimani, the head of Farming Department of the Agricultural Jihad Organization of East Azarbaijan province, said only 18 percent of farmlands are fertilizer-free nationwide and each Iranian consumes about 0.5 kg of fertilizers annually. Reza Ezzatian, the head of Health Ministry’s Office for Occupational Health, also said the excessive use of fertilizers poses a big threat to water and soil safety. The chemical components of some fertilizers, which are absorbed by the roots of plants, cause many diseases in consumers of agricultural commodities. Soil contamination is among the negative effects of the uncontrolled use of fertilizers. Some experts believe the poisonous components of such fertilizers remain in the soil for about 50 years. The excessive use of fertilizers also leads to contamination of groundwater. Nitrate derived from fertilizers pollute potable water resources of urban and rural areas as well. Experts believe the unrestrained use of fertilizers causes Parkinson, osteoporosis, genetic and hormone disorders, miscarriage and digestive cancers. A majority of Iranian farmers, using the traditional cultivation methods, believe the greater use of fertilizers will help boost their crop yield. The government and officials of agricultural sector are recommended to hold training courses for farmers to raise their knowledge about the adverse effects of fertilizers. Farmers should be taught to replace quantity with quality and undergo training on new farming methods. Omid Faraz, an agriculture expert, believes the production of organic fruits will help replace quantity with quality. “A number of markets should be established for the sale of organic products. Such measures will help promote the consumption of organic products,” he said./end