Excessive Urea Weakens Silk Threads: Mandya DC

Fast Summary:

• Mandya Deputy Commissioner highlighted the excessive use of urea by sericulture farmers in the district, which negatively impacts silk thread quality.
• About 31,000 sericulture farmers reportedly use excess urea for quicker fodder growth.
• The practice also results in nutritionally deficient fodder, reducing milk quality among dairy cattle.
• The Deputy Commissioner recommended creating awareness about these issues through milk producers’ cooperative societies.
• Nano urea was suggested as an choice to traditional fertilizers for addressing the problem.

Published – August 11, 2025

indian Opinion Analysis:

The overuse of urea in Mandya District reflects broader concerns about unsustainable farming practices that prioritize immediate gains over long-term productivity and environmental health. Weak silk threads and lower-quality milk could lead to economic setbacks for both sericulture and dairy farmers, two vital components of rural livelihoods in Karnataka. Promoting nano urea as a substitute presents a forward-thinking approach but would require large-scale awareness campaigns backed by scientific evidence on its efficacy and safety.

The proposed involvement of cooperative societies is logical since they are trusted grassroots institutions that can effectively disseminate information among farming communities. However, transitioning to alternative methods will necessitate infrastructural support and consistent supply chains to ensure adoption without financial strain on already marginalized groups like smallholder farmers.

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