Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate Fertilizer to Benefit Nepalese Agriculture

Transcription

1 Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate Fertilizer to Benefit Nepalese Agriculture Amy Reymer Section: Mon. 2:30pm AGR1110 Due: October 24, 2014

2 Reymer 2 Introduction Zinc is an essential micronutrient yet appears to be the most widespread micronutrient deficiency problems in pasture plants and crops worldwide. According to Hacisalihoglu, Zinc deficiency is a widespread factor limiting crop production, affecting 30% of the world s soils. Many of the countries affected by zinc deficiency are Australia, South-east Asia, Turkey and the USA. A wide range of soil types can be deficient in zinc, including high ph calcareous soils, sandy soils, and high phosphorus-containing fertilized soils (Hacisalihoglu, 2003). By exporting 35% zinc metal in a Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate form, for nutrient solution or soil application, farmers in Nepal will be able to maximize yields and profit in their crops. Understanding soil deficiency issues in Nepal will help to heighten food production, socioeconomic levels, and quality of living. Increased soil fertility by adding a zinc sulphate monohydrate fertilizer is one large step in the right direction for the country Nepal, nestled between China and India. Nepal is a small country with a large population of 27.8 Million people on 147,181 km² of land, and boasts the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest; At 29,000 ft. Mount Everest is part of the country s Mountain region (JSTOR, 1987). Nepal is separated into three regions, the Terai region, the Hill region, and the Mountain region. Agriculture in Nepal most frequently occurs in the Terai region due to its flat and fertile soils although agriculture is possible in the hill region where the population density is at its highest. Some environmental threats that Nepal faces as a country and towards agriculture are Earthquakes, flooding, drought, severe thunderstorms, and landslides. Threats such as these are vital to the quality of agriculture and the diversity of what crops will thrive through such trying conditions.

3 Reymer 3 Benefits of Zinc Nepal would benefit from granular zinc micronutrient fertilizer, especially zinc sulphate monohydrate ZnSO 4 H 2 O, because it is a part of the developing world where micronutrient deficiencies are growing in crops and citizens. Zinc deficiency in crop plants causes decreased yields, and can be noted by its whitish bands down the leaf of the plant, specifically in corn, and by an overall fading to white in most other crops. Not only does this lower the yields of the crop, its ecological implications with respect to nutrient mobilization and microbial activity in the rhizosphere (Cakmak, 2009). Zinc deficiency is very prevalent in South Asia and this leads to a high amount of incidences of death and disease among children. This is primarily due to low consumption of zinc. Zinc is vital for both plants and animals because zinc is a regulatory co-factor in enzymes and proteins involved in most biochemical pathways. (Alloway, 2009). The only way humans can have low zinc is through their diet, therefore by supplementing and increasing zinc level count in crops (ppm) (Cakmak, 2009). Another contributing factor in the high mortality linked to low zinc is that it has been found that pregnant women are more susceptible to low dietary intake of zinc, this is a concern because low intake of zinc during pregnancy can result in serious issues such as proper infant development and child survival (Cakmak, 2009). Product information/ description Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate is a collection of whitish micronutrient fertilizer granules (See appendix Fig. 2) that are used in solid granular or power form. The chemical analysis states that the combination of minerals includes 35.5% actual zinc, and

4 Reymer % Sulfur. According to Pestell Minerals, Trace elements that may be present in the fertilizer include no more than 10 ppm Arsenic (As), 20 ppm Cadmium (Cd), 20 ppm Lead (Pb), and 1 ppm Mercury (Hg). Zinc sulphate monohydrate is at least 99.5% watersoluble and is packaged in 50lb bags/ 110kg totes (See Appendix Fig. 3). The fertilizer, as stated by Pestell Minerals & Ingredients Company, is classified as hazardous by the WHMIS controlled product regulation in Canada, and cannot be ingested or inhaled or made in contact with eyes. It is recommended that hands should be washed thoroughly after use. Repeated exposure to the product can destruct the skin and repeated expose of dust to the eyes can cause irritation. Prolonged exposure can lead to organ damage. Description of where the product is grown raised or processed Zinc is mainly mined in Australia, Canada, the United States, China, and Peru. Myra Falls is an underground zinc and multi-metal Canadian mine run out of British Columbia. The zinc sulphate monohydrate is processed and will be purchased from Pestell Mineral Company in New Hamburg, Ontario. The company is located near the United States border and the ocean for ideal shipping routes (See Fig. 1 in Appendix). Machinery and Labor The machinery and labor required for this product is in the factory where the mined minerals are combined to create the blend and made into pellets. The labor required would be those running, supervising and exporting the fertilizer to the companies to the people who work to truck it out to the farms.

5 Reymer 5 Cost Issues Unfortunately, zinc sulphate monohydrate is very expensive, being mainly the zinc component that raises the price; the product is not cheap. This is in general, an unrealistic product, because farmers in Nepal do not have the money to pay for a product that is; A) already expensive and B) has a very expensive intricate shipping route that will add to the cost. If the return on the product is not great enough, then it could be an issue for the farmers who have been practicing for their whole life and don t have the money to experiment with fertilizers and are doing their best to make a living. Inputs Required The zinc sulphate monohydrate, depending on the size of the field, can be applied by hand or small fertilizer applicator if a large farm. The labor required to produce this product would be mainly in the mining, and synthesizing of the product (granular fertilizer). The fertilizer is to provide zinc for nutrient solution or soil application, supplying 0.25 ppm Zn: 0.7g/1000 L of nutrient solution, for soil application: up to 30 g/10 m2. Depending on size of farm the application will change, for large farms a small spreader can be used or a mechanism that integrates the granular fertilizer into the soil during planting. If small enough area (in hectares) the pellets could be spread by hand onto the field. The recommended application would be 5-lb./ acre. Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate is needed in Nepal because zinc is essential to have in order to produce green, healthy plants. Zinc deficiency can affect the yield and cause grain loss (Cakmak et al., 1996). Another option that could be used to save the overuse of the product would be to apply it directly to the root with a water bottle cap amount, more labor, less loss.

6 Reymer 6 Market Opportunity Although in Nepal many of the crops grown are to self sustain, if enough was grown to make a profit the farmers could benefit. If the farmer grows enough overall, the return on the product would be well worth it. Nepal is in great need of zinc for the health of their citizens, which in itself makes Nepal an ideal place for zinc fertilizer to be exported to. Benefits to Canada Exporting zinc sulphate monohydrate will benefit Canada because the mineral company, Pestell Minerals, be exported from will receive more business, and more income which will in turn be paid into their income tax and used by the Canadian government on the betterment of the country and our economy. Also, it will help to keep jobs in the mineral company and in the Canadian zinc mines. The export is also beneficial to Canada because it will require a lot of shipping and when it is shipped through Canada, the truck driver will have a job, as will the company that makes the trucks, and the company hired to ship the fertilizer and all of their employees. These are strong benefits to Canada economically. Another, often overlooked, benefit is that we will be helping out another country in need. By exporting zinc to help with micronutrient soil deficiencies, Nepal will have a good relationship and partnership with Canada; this puts a positive outlook on our country. All in all, Canada will benefit by exporting zinc to Nepal because the economy will be strengthened, and exports of zinc metal will go up to be shipped, and processed into Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate to be applied to crops.

7 Reymer 7 Environmental Sustainability Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate can be environmentally sustainable if used properly; the levels of zinc can stay with in a healthy range in the soil and will not cause soil issues. It would be dangerous if the fertilizer were spread to think because zinc levels (ppm) in the soil would rise and zinc is toxic, therefore, any runoff and or over-applied area could become toxic to humans, and this is a downfall to the product (Cakmak, 1988). Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate is a whitish colorless crystals exported in 50lb (23 kg) bags. The zinc fertilizer has a zinc content of 23% and has a 0.002% heavy zinc metal and content. Transportation Logistics The product will be transported to Nepal, via a relatively intricate route due to the landlocked, central location of the county. Although a direct shipping quote was unable to be obtained at the given time, it is known that the fertilizer will be shipped from a company such as FedEx, in 1110kg totes from the exporter in New Hamburg, Ontario to Nepal. After contemplating numerous routes and avenues the most direct and logical route to take would be for the product to export from New Hamburg, Ontario to Vancouver, British Columbia by truck, where it will then be shipped, by shipping containers in the ocean to India where the product will be picked up by a truck and taken across the Nepalese border to Kathmandu, the capital city, where the product will be dispersed to various agricultural communities and divided for use.

8 Reymer 8 Storage/Refrigeration Issues With the product, zinc sulphate monohydrate, being in the solid, white granules form it is, a non-perishable item it is unnecessary to be refrigerated. It is exported in 50 lb. (23 kg) bags that will be in 1100 kg totes Cost Analysis The cost analysis is broken down into numerous aspects of the trading idea. Firstly, the specific cost of zinc sulphate monohydrate is unavailable due to misperceptions in the company. Although, knowing from previous experiences it is evident that the products approximate costs in Bohigh enterprise in Pingxiang, Jiangxi, China is where the Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate can be purchased from $ dollars per metric ton (Contact Information, 2014). Knowing this cost and the location of China compared to Canada it is clear that the cost will be generally higher and shipping will add a great deal to the cost. Once the farmers receive the fertilizer it is thought that they will share the product and the product cost among each other relative to the amount needed. Benefits to Importing Nation By importing zinc sulphate monohydrate to Nepal we will be strengthening the country s economy and overall health. Due to the severe effects that zinc deficiency can have on the human body and the pregnant body, the small price that will need to be paid for this micronutrient fertilizer will be beneficial and will help the farmers by increasing their yields and outcome in turn helping the country, and the economy.

9 Reymer 9 Environmental Benefits to Nepal Environmental benefits to Nepal are that by adding zinc sulphate monohydrate to the crops plants they will thrive and yields will rise producing more O2 gas, which will supply the nearby people with oxygen to breathe. Also, Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate will benefit Nepal because it will increase the yields and decrease the grain loss, helping farmers to be more efficient and to grow more plants per acre on their land. Due to the expense of Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate it has not been overly popular but could greatly increase the yields and possibly pay for itself and if used efficiently, not much is needed and will go a long way in the soil. Real World Names and Contact Info The Canadian Minerals Company s contact information is: Pestell Minerals & Ingredients pmi@pestell.com Phone: (519) Fax: (519) Sales Department: Phone: (1-888) Fax: (1-888)

10 Reymer 10 Potential Nepalese Buyers The famers in Nepal are potential buyers because the zinc sulphate could help their crops greatly. The farmers will retrieve the zinc fertilizer and use as they see fit, this product is designed for farmers from all classes, and so although the price may be high, it would be in the company s best interest to ensure that it is widely available. Creative Real World Marketing Strategy for Nepal A few real world marketing strategies to help this product flourish would be to plant test plot because it can shown the farmers just how much of a difference adding this is going to make to the soil, for example by setting up a test plot and providing the farmers with the fertilizer, and have other farmers come and visit they where they can note the difference in size, color, and production. Another strategy that can be used to market this product is word-of mouth. Word of mouth is a good strategy because in a developing country they do not have radio, television, or cell phones to show them just how great the results will be. This product is a niche product because it will mostly be available only for rural and agricultural uses. Although the communities can sell it because of toxicity, and relevance, it will be for sale agriculturally Describe import/export documentation required The Nepalese government has not stated any specific regulations about shipping zinc across the border. Future studies required to properly evaluate the export potential would be for Canada to produce a reasonable Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate granular fertilizer to be exported through Nepalese borders.

11 Reymer 11 Canadian government Loans or Grants Some loans and grants that are possibly available for this product that may work are located on the website where the grants can be dependent on the amount specifically being shipped, which due to the high costs will be very dependent on the exact amount necessary. Future Studies required for proper evaluation, and what is unknown Unfortunately, there are some prevalent issues with the product. First of all, zinc sulphate monohydrate can be purchased very cheap from China, which borders Nepal. This is an issue because it is more readily available and much closer for the Nepalese farmers to just purchase from. Also, the shipping cost is unknown because, it is a very unrealistic route and far too costly to be considered by Nepalese farmers. Recommendations I would recommend this product because it will aid the Nepalese farmers greatly. This is an opportunity that would benefit the society because it will increase birth survival rates and overall health of citizens by it will be raising crop yields, and fueling the body s need for zinc. Although I would not recommend it if the farmers are too poor to afford it because, if the farmer is not growing enough crops they have the potential to not have any return on the fertilizer. For it to work effectively for, and with, the farmers it will have to be cost effective and very efficient.

12 Reymer 12 Conclusion Exporting zinc sulphate monohydrate to Nepal will ideally aid in the overall economy and health of the Nepalese because it is vital to plant and human health and can be very beneficial to the country s overall health and agricultural sectors. By applying zinc sulphate monohydrate to the soil, the food from the crops produced will have higher zinc content and In turn will lower death rates at birth and human health. Exporting zinc sulphate monohydrate will help the farmers by increasing their production, quality, and return on their fields and will strengthen the bond between Canada and Nepal for the better. In the end, it will most of all help the country by aiding to fix the widespread fatal micronutrient deficiency that Nepal and other developing countries are experiencing, and that is what this is about, one country helping another, and encouraging good health, and good crops.

13 Reymer 13 References: Alloway, B. J. (2004). Zinc in soils and crop nutrition. Brussels, Belgium: International Zinc Association. Alloway, B. J. (2009). Soil factors associated with zinc deficiency in crops and humans. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 31(5), doi: /s Cakmak, I. (2009). Enrichment of fertilizers with zinc: An excellent investment for humanity and crop production in India. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology : Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), 23(4), doi: /j.jtemb Cakmak, I., & Marschner, H. (1988). Increase in Membrane Permeability and Exudation in Roots of Zinc Deficient Plants. Journal of Plant Physiology, 132(3), doi: /s (88) Cakmak, I., Yilmaz, A., Kalayci, M., Ekiz, H., & Torun, B. (1996). Zinc deficiency as a critical problem in wheat production in Central Anatolia. Plant and Soil, 180(2), Contact Information for Bohigh Zinc Product Co., Ltd. (Jiangxi). (n.d.). Retrieved October 03, 2014, from

14 Reymer 14 Ghandilyan, A., Vreugdenhil, D., & Aarts, M. (2006). Progress in the genetic understanding of plant iron and zinc nutrition. Physiologia Plantarum, 126(3), Hacisalihoglu, G., & Kochian, L. (2003). New Phytologist. 159(2), JSTOR: Mountain Research and Development, Vol. 7, No. 3 (Aug., 1987), (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2014, from

15 Reymer 15 Appendix Fig. 1 Pestell Minerals Company shown on a map. Located in Canada on the United States of America border. Fig. 2 Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate pellets from Pestell, Ontario.

16 Reymer 16 Fig. 3 Chart showing Chemical analysis, amounts of trace elements and some of the physical properties of the fertilizer Fig. 4 Map of the world showing top zinc producing countries.