IMPACT OF COAL-FIRED THERMAL POWER PLANT ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

SUBHAS ADAK¹*, KALYAN ADHIKARI², KOUSHIK BRAHMACHARI^3
1Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India
²Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India
³Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalay, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
* Corresponding Author : subhas.adak@rediffmail.com

Received : 31-07-2017     Accepted : 11-08-2017     Published : 24-08-2017
Volume : 9     Issue : 39       Pages : 4598 - 4604
Int J Agr Sci 9.39 (2017):4598-4604

Keywords : Thermal Power Plant, Fly ash, Agricultural production, Fertilizer application, Cultivation cost
Academic Editor : Dr Bijay Kunar
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : We are very grateful to the Office of Assistant Director of Agriculture, Kolaghat, Government of West Bengal; Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohonpur, West Bengal; National Institute of Technology, Durgapur; Agricultural Training Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Asharama, Narendrapur, Kolkata-700103 for providing valuable different assistances for conducting our research work
Author Contribution : All author equally contributed

Kolaghat thermal power plant (KTPP), India, is affecting Agricultural production in the adjacent areas. Uses of NPK fertilizers for cereal crops has increased by 0-50% in the surrounding area (<4km) during last four years (2011-2015) whereas it is 14.29% - 33.33% for the rest of Kolaghat block. Increases in use of nitrogen and phosphorus bearing fertilizers have been observed but change in potassium requirement (0-25%) has become lower within area 4km radius from KTPP. For the remaining area of the block, the change is quite higher (12.5-66.67%) than that of adjacent area. Yields of different cultivated crops also have decreased by 1.08% - 24.7% in the area close to KTPP. On the other hand, the rest of the block has experienced little yield deviation (-0.2% to -9.34%) for all crops expect wheat (+6.48%), maize (+0.41%), mustard (+10.08%), and black gram (+10.25%) that have gained more yields. Consequently, the cost of cultivation (<4km) is higher (12.5%-76.47%) than the rest (6.58%-62.5%) of the block. The results clearly show that the adverse impact of fly ash on agricultural production in the proximity (<4km) of KTPP. Site-specific crop adaptation and resources management can nourish environmental and agricultural sustainability.

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