Fertilizer sustainable development should improve utilization

On September 16-17, the lFA (China) Fertilizer Sustainable Development Management Forum was held in Beijing. The conference attracted nearly 250 representatives from domestic and foreign research institutes, fertilizer-related organizations, fertilizer production companies, and trading companies to participate in the meeting to discuss the sustainable development of chemical fertilizers in China. Su Bo, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; Charlotte HEBEBRAND, Secretary-General of lFA; He Caiwen, Director of the Crop Production Department of the Ministry of Agriculture; Long Wen, Deputy Director of the National Agricultural Supply Bureau of the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives; and Li Shousheng, Executive Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. Leaders attended the meeting. The meeting was also supported by China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association, China ** Industrial Association, China Phosphate Fertilizer Industry Association, China Chemical Mining Association, China Inorganic Salt Industry Association and other related departments.

In the speech, Vice Minister of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Su Bo pointed out that the fertilizer industry should further enhance its sense of responsibility and mission, and firmly take the path of new industrialization development. First, speed up the adjustment structure and increase the overall level of chemical fertilizer utilization; Second, strengthen technological innovation, Continue to extend the industrial chain; Third, vigorously develop agrochemical services to improve the level of modern agricultural development; Fourth, strengthen international cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win.

lFA secretary-general Charlotte HEBEBRAND stated that as a nation that has been short of food supply to start enjoying food security in a short period of time, China's agricultural achievements have been incredible. Among them, the fertilizer industry has played a crucial role. Fertilizer utilization in China is gradually increasing, and nutrient management plays a key role in global operations. As a big country in fertilizer production and consumption, the development of agriculture and industry in China has attracted the attention of various countries. Therefore, IFA is committed to strengthening its partnership with China and is willing to work with everyone to improve the application of the fertilizer industry.

The participants and guests agreed that the sustainable development of chemical fertilizer use is very important to China. The participating guests discussed about how to improve nutrient use efficiency, strengthen nutrient management, promote new chemical fertilizers, and save consumption and protect the environment. Kevin Chen, director of the China Program of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), believes that the return on nutrient use efficiency is considerable, but the current loss of fertilized nutrients in China is serious and faces great challenges. Zhang Fusuo, director of the China Agricultural University's food safety and environmental research center, proposed “three steps” to increase crop yields and nitrogen use efficiency. The goal is to achieve high yields and efficiency while ensuring food security and environmental health. Gao Xiangzhao, director of the National Agricultural Technology Promotion Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, also proposed that water and fertilizer integration is the key to improving the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization.

In the development status of China's chemical fertilizer industry, Liu Shulan, honorary chairman of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association, said that the nitrogen fertilizer industry is full of challenges and opportunities. We should rely on science and technology and independent innovation capabilities to develop new types of nitrogen fertilizers to optimize the industrial structure and change the direction of development. Wu Xiyan, Honorary Chairman of China Phosphate Fertilizer Industry Association, suggested further strengthening the raw material guarantee capacity, eliminating backward production capacity, strengthening the comprehensive utilization of resources and energy, and taking the road of sustainable development of phosphate fertilizer. Wang Xiaofeng, secretary-general of the China Inorganic Salt Industry Association, advocated that domestic potash fertilizer exploration should be stepped up to prevent over-exploitation and to promote global potash projects, while at the same time doing potash exchange and propaganda work.