Karnataka - Bangalore   

Distillery effluents can be manure if wisely used

BANGALORE: A study undertaken by soil sciences experts in association with the two universities of agricultural sciences in Karnataka has showed that effluents of distilleries can be effective manure for crops if used in the recommended dosages and periodicity.

The four-year study, sponsored by the Karnataka Brewers and Distillers’ Association (KBDA), was taken up by a research and development advisory committee with the involvement of the two universities of agricultural sciences.

The study, which was conducted following the advice of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, is said to be the first of its kind in the country.

The report of the study, which was released here on Thursday by Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur, stated that trials conducted on some crops by the two universities had shown that distillery effluent or spent wash, when used at the recommended levels, had a better impact on crops than chemical fertilizers. Compared with the cost of production in the chemical fertilizers-based farming, it was possible to save anywhere from Rs. 1,319 to Rs. 2,307 per hectare by using distillery wash, the study said.

The experiments were conducted on ragi, maize, sunflower and some vegetables by treating the land with one-time controlled application of distillery effluents.

However, the response of crops to the effluents was higher in the lab trials than those on the farmers’ fields, indicating the need for scrupulous management in the use of spent wash, the study noted.

“Higher dosages and continued application caused an increase in soil salinity,” it said.

A sum of Rs. 86 lakh had been provided for the study which was conducted on 180 demonstration farms.

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