Urea and DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) are the two most preferred fertilizers among the farmers during cultivation. There is no single farmer who haven’t used these fertilizers at least once and not aware about its benefits. These fertilizers are primarily used to replenish the lost fertility of the soil. Urea is used for increasing the nitrogen content and DAP helps in increasing phosphorus and sulphur content of the soil.

Indiscriminate use of these fertilizers has depleted the natural soil fertility process and farmers are constrained to supply with more fertilizers to endure the soil fertility expecting higher yield neglecting the fact that the act is disrupting the ecological balance of the farmland.

Farmers needed a better alternative to these fertilizers which are economical and eco-friendly and is equally effective as the high-priced synthetic fertilizers. As a part of sustainable agriculture practices, KDSS (Khadnwa Diocesan Social Services) implemented Sabal programme introduced organic DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) which can be easily prepared with locally available resources at free or very nominal cost. The preparation of the fertilizer only requires soil of the farmland where it will be broadcasted, cow urine, cow dung, Bengal gram flour and butter milk in calculated proportion and covered with a HDPE (high density polyethylene) sheet for 90 days. After 90 days the DAP is ready to be broadcasted on the field during tilling or before sowing process.

Before the Kharif cultivation season, 9 farmers who joined Sabal programme have setup organic DAP units and processed 5,800kg of fertilizers which was used to treat 9.36 acres of land.

Munshi Sitaram one of the aspiring farmers said “Sabal se humne jaivik DAP banane seekha jisse khet ko bahut fayda hua. Pichle saal ki Kharif fasal bhi bahut achhi hui thi aur mere bahut paise bhi bache” (I learned to prepare organic DAP from Sabal which was beneficial for my farmland. Last year Kharif yield was very favourable, and it also helped me to save a lot of money).

One bag (50kg) of synthetic DAP would cost around ₹1200 – 1500 and requires 2 – 3 bags per acre of land. With organic DAP preparation this Kharif season the farmers are expected to save at least an average ₹4500 – 5000 on the purchase of synthetic fertilizer.