Excessive use of urea poses health risks like reduced fertility: PJTSAU VC Janaiah

HYDERABAD

Excessive use of urea by farmers is not only harming soil health but also posing serious risks to human health, including reduced fertility among young people, warned Professor Jayashankar, Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Vice-Chancellor Aldas Janaiah.

He urged farmers to use urea judiciously to protect soil and water resources and safeguard the interests of future generations.

In a statement, he said that a large percentage of farmers in the State are applying 50-100% more urea than the scientifically recommended levels for different crops, as per the preliminary data collected from various districts.

“There is a misconception among farmers that using more urea will lead to higher yields. This is not true,” he said, adding that excessive urea use leaves harmful chemical residues in food products, which can cause health issues such as cancer, kidney-related diseases, and reduced fertility.

Mr. Janaiah also cautioned that chemical residues accumulate in the soil, reducing nutrient availability and quality, while weakening plant resistance and increasing pest attacks, forcing farmers to use more pesticides.

Citing recent experiments, Janaiah said that consumption of crops grown with high urea content has been linked to reduced fertility in animals, and similar risks exist for humans. “This issue was highlighted in the United Nations Environment Assembly’s 2022 report titled Chemical Fertilisers and Health,” He also announced that PJTSAU’s Food and Nutrition Department will carry out in-depth research on the impact of excessive urea use on human health.