Indonesia calls for organic D8 fertilizer

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Member countries in the Developing Eight should begin using organic fertilizers instead of chemical goods to save funds, an Indonesian official said Thursday.

Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said at the D8 Ministers' Meeting on Food Security conference that the fertilizer switch could save member countries funds that could be applied to infrastructure development, the Malaysian News Agency, Bernama, reported.

Apriyantono also said at the conference in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lampur that by improving fertilizer use efficiency, D8 member countries could limit related waste or excessive usage.

Indonesia was taking part in the conference along with Malaysia, Bangladesh, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey.

Bernama said the conference is oriented toward discussing the production of such agricultural goods as fertilizers, animal feed and high quality seeds.

Iranian Deputy Agriculture Minister Jafar Khalghani used the conference to suggest the formation of a food security research group by the eight D8 countries.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/02/26/Indonesia_calls_for_organic_D8_fertilizer/UPI-79141235671609/.