<p><bold>Fertilizers in Indian Agriculture – from 20th to 21st century by HLS Tandon, Fertiliser Development and Consultation Organisation, New Delhi, India. pp. 240 + viii. ISBN: 81-85116-52-0, Price: Rs. 500/-(in India) and US $ 95 (outside India).</bold></p><p>This book is an update of an earlier publication issued by FDCO in 1990 on the topic “Fertilizers in agriculture” past, present and futureâ authored by HLS Tandon and Pratap Narayan. Both these publications are India-specific, but the arguments put forth are expected to hold good for several developing countries having agricultural scenarios comparable to India. A major departure of the present publication, from its older version lies in its focus on present and future scenarios. Divided into 13 subject matter chapters, (besides an introductory chapter setting the broad contours and scope of the book), this handy publication is tightly worded but without sacrificing the scientific content and precision. A general background to the subject of this book is provided by chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 and these deal with Soil, climate, water and plant and human resources; Agricultural scenario, Plant nutrients and fertilizers and Nutrientdeficiencies in Indian soils, respectively. The link between âÜFertilizers and agricultural productionâ™, is dealt with in the next chapter. Chapter 7 looks into the issues of nutrient uptake, removal and balances (in soil) at a macro level. Fertilizer production and imports are discussed in Chapter 8. Fertilizer consumption dealt in Chapter 9 provides an in-depth analysis of several aspects such as nutrient consumption pattern, product pattern, farm level to state level scenarios, factors affecting fertilizer consumption, etc. A novel feature of this publication is the inclusion of chapters on Fertilizer marketing and credit (Ch. 10), Fertilizer legislation and qualiy control (Ch. 11), Economics of fertilizer use (Ch. 12), Fertilizer promotion, extension and advisory services (Ch. 13), and Fertilizer policies, pricing and subsidies (Ch. 14). More often than not such issues do not form part of the academic discourses on fertilizers involving persons from government sector, as some of these are politically sensitive and challenges some of the policies pursued by the establishment. However, inconvenient these may be, it goes to the credit of the author to criticize some of the policies followed (continued to be pursued) without mincing words. In this respect one may agree or not with all the views of the author, but certainly these cannot be brushed aside. This off-beat publication is refreshingly candid and provoking at the same time. It should be of interest to every one who is concerned with fertilizer either directly or indirectly.</p></sec></body></article></article></body></html>

JISSS

Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

0019-638X

Indian Society of Soil Science

jisss-55-1-br003

BOOK REVIEW

Fertilizers in Indian Agriculture – from 20th to 21st century

Narayanasamy

Dr.Former Head & Professor

Soil Science, IARI MIG Flat E-25C, Mayapuri, New Delhi - 110064. Email: gnsamy@yahoo.com

32007

5519797

<p><bold>Fertilizers in Indian Agriculture – from 20th to 21st century by HLS Tandon, Fertiliser Development and Consultation Organisation, New Delhi, India. pp. 240 + viii. ISBN: 81-85116-52-0, Price: Rs. 500/-(in India) and US $ 95 (outside India).</bold></p><p>This book is an update of an earlier publication issued by FDCO in 1990 on the topic “Fertilizers in agriculture” past, present and futureâ authored by HLS Tandon and Pratap Narayan. Both these publications are India-specific, but the arguments put forth are expected to hold good for several developing countries having agricultural scenarios comparable to India. A major departure of the present publication, from its older version lies in its focus on present and future scenarios. Divided into 13 subject matter chapters, (besides an introductory chapter setting the broad contours and scope of the book), this handy publication is tightly worded but without sacrificing the scientific content and precision. A general background to the subject of this book is provided by chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 and these deal with Soil, climate, water and plant and human resources; Agricultural scenario, Plant nutrients and fertilizers and Nutrientdeficiencies in Indian soils, respectively. The link between âÜFertilizers and agricultural productionâ™, is dealt with in the next chapter. Chapter 7 looks into the issues of nutrient uptake, removal and balances (in soil) at a macro level. Fertilizer production and imports are discussed in Chapter 8. Fertilizer consumption dealt in Chapter 9 provides an in-depth analysis of several aspects such as nutrient consumption pattern, product pattern, farm level to state level scenarios, factors affecting fertilizer consumption, etc. A novel feature of this publication is the inclusion of chapters on Fertilizer marketing and credit (Ch. 10), Fertilizer legislation and qualiy control (Ch. 11), Economics of fertilizer use (Ch. 12), Fertilizer promotion, extension and advisory services (Ch. 13), and Fertilizer policies, pricing and subsidies (Ch. 14). More often than not such issues do not form part of the academic discourses on fertilizers involving persons from government sector, as some of these are politically sensitive and challenges some of the policies pursued by the establishment. However, inconvenient these may be, it goes to the credit of the author to criticize some of the policies followed (continued to be pursued) without mincing words. In this respect one may agree or not with all the views of the author, but certainly these cannot be brushed aside. This off-beat publication is refreshingly candid and provoking at the same time. It should be of interest to every one who is concerned with fertilizer either directly or indirectly.</p></sec></body></article></article></body></html>