Cosmos: A Journal of Geography

The Impact of Chemical Fertilizer on Potato Production in Birbhum District, West Bengal

Abstract: Agriculture is the most important factor affecting the economic development of any developing country. Birbhum is generally known as a predominantly agricultural district as large or medium scale industries have not flourished in the district. The current study is stand on primary & secondary data source obtained from various published and unpublished sources. As the amount of cultivable land per capita is gradually decreasing due to increasing population, urbanization, industrialization etc. Some thought needs to be given now to maintain the production of the district at an appropriate level in the future. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the effect of chemical fertilizers on potato productivity in Birbhum district. This paper discusses potato production in Birbhum district. The amount of chemical fertilizers used per hectare in the district is slightly higher than the state average. As a result of increased use of these fertilizers, effects on potato productivity have been observed. With the increase in potato cultivation in this district, the production level has also increased. Farmers in the district have reduced the use of organic fertilizers due to increasing dependence on chemical fertilizers. One thing needs to be made clear to them that if the fertility of the agricultural land of Birbhum district is to be maintained at a high level for a long time, more organic fertilizers must be used. It promotes long-term food production while minimizing negative impact on the environment & human body. Keywords: Chemical fertilizer, Potato Productivity, Organic fertilizer.