By BSS

Nano-urea, developed by Bangladeshi scientist Professor Dr Md Javed Hossain Khan, has raised fresh hopes of reducing the use of conventional urea fertiliser, lowering farmers’ production costs and minimising fertiliser wastage.

After years of research, repeated attempts to secure a patent and a prolonged wait, his innovation has finally received intellectual probperty recognition.

He said the encouragement of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and initiatives by relevant officials helped pave the way for the recognition.

While studying nanotechnology and its agricultural applications in Japan, Professor Javed Hossain Khan realised that the technology had the potential to bring significant changes to agriculture. Inspired by this idea, he returned to Bangladesh and established the country’s first nano laboratory at Jashore University of Science and Technology in 2013.

Continuing his research there, he developed nano-urea in 2018. In an exclusive interview with BSS Jashore District Correspondent Saiful Islam recently, he spoke about his research, the features of the innovation, its potential benefits for agriculture and plans for commercial production.

BSS: What inspired you to work on nano-urea when conventional urea fertiliser was already available?

Dr Javed: One of the major problems with conventional urea fertiliser is that plants cannot absorb a large proportion of the fertiliser applied. Some of it accumulates in the soil, some is washed away by rainwater, and some escapes into the atmosphere.

Nanotechnology makes it possible to reduce the size of fertiliser particles so significantly that plants can potentially absorb almost all of the nutrients from a much smaller quantity. This idea led me to begin working on nano-urea in 2018.

BSS: What was the journey like from starting your research to obtaining the patent, after such a long wait?

Dr Javed: I began my research in 2018 and filed my first patent application in 2019. That application was rejected in early 2021. However, I did not give up and applied again. I then had to wait for more than five years. Three to four months ago, I submitted another application to the government for the patent.

At that point, Md Ismail Zabihullah, head of the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) at the Prime Minister’s Office, called me in and asked why the nano-urea patent had not been granted, why the product had not reached the market and what obstacles were involved.

With his encouragement, I took part in the Bangladesh Innovation Fair on 12 September. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited our stall there. During the visit, he said, ‘I know that you are working on nano-urea. It works remarkably well, costs less and will help farmers save money.’

The Prime Minister then assigned Md Ismail Zabihullah to oversee the matter. I received the patent thanks to the Prime Minister’s encouragement. We are deeply grateful to the BNP government for recognising our intellectual property.

BSS: What are the main technical differences and advantages of nano-urea compared with conventional urea fertiliser?

Dr Javed: Conventional urea is granular, whereas our nano-urea is liquid and has extremely small particles. Because the particles are so small, plants can absorb nitrogen more efficiently from a smaller quantity. This reduces fertiliser wastage. Another major advantage of our formulation is its stability. It remains stable for around two years. We do not use any toxic chemicals in producing nano-urea.

BSS: How could nano-urea help prevent damage to soil caused by excessive use of chemical fertilisers on the country’s farmland?

Dr Javed: Excessive use of urea increases soil acidity, reduces the number of beneficial microorganisms and causes nitrates to spread into groundwater. With nano-urea, only 500 millilitres of fertiliser are required per bigha of land, compared with 50 kilogrammes of conventional urea. This could reduce the chemical burden on soil and water. However, we will continue conducting field research to understand its long-term effects on soil health.

BSS: Does the use of nano-urea bring any positive changes to the quality or nutritional value of crops?

Dr Javed: In our trials, yields were broadly comparable to those obtained with conventional granular urea. In some cases, particularly in rice cultivation, we recorded yield increases of between two and eight per cent. Tests at the laboratory of the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) showed no deterioration in nutritional value or chlorophyll content. This means that crops of comparable quality can potentially be produced at a lower cost.

BSS: Your research indicates that using this fertiliser could reduce costs by around 82 per cent. How affordable and accessible would it be for ordinary farmers?

Dr Javed: Farmers generally use 50 kilogrammes of urea on one bigha of land for rice cultivation, costing between Tk 1,400 and Tk 1,500. By contrast, only 500 millilitres of nano-urea are required, costing Tk 230. This means that fertiliser costs for rice cultivation can be reduced by more than 80 per cent. As it is a liquid, it is also easier to transport and store. However, these calculations apply to rice cultivation; costs for other crops may vary according to the results of trials.

BSS: How could this innovation contribute to the national economy by saving foreign currency currently spent on fertiliser imports?

Dr Javed: According to government data, the government spends around Tk 32,000 crore on fertiliser imports. If nano-urea were produced domestically through public or private initiatives and used as a substitute for a substantial proportion of granular urea, import dependence could be reduced and considerable foreign currency saved. However, the actual savings would depend on production costs and the extent to which conventional urea could be replaced.

BSS: How should farmers apply this fertiliser to their fields? Should it be scattered like conventional fertiliser, or sprayed as a liquid? Would special training be required?

Dr Javed: As it is a liquid fertiliser, it is generally applied by spraying it on plant leaves. Farmers can use the spraying methods with which they are already familiar. No particularly complicated training is required. However, brief guidance through the Department of Agricultural Extension on the correct dosage and timing of application would help achieve better results.

BSS: Are there any long-term health risks or side effects of nanoparticles for human health, crops or soil microorganisms?

Dr Javed: No toxic chemicals are used in our formulation. We conduct regular tests in our own laboratory. The BCSIR tests also found no toxicity. However, research into the long-term effects of nanomaterials is continuing worldwide. We will therefore continue conducting regular tests before and after widespread use.

BSS: Have any toxicity tests or laboratory-based assessments been conducted?

Dr Javed: Yes. We conduct toxicity tests regularly. We have a detailed BCSIR laboratory report that found no toxicity. We also carry out regular tests in our own laboratory and have not found any harmful substances.

BSS: Have you received direct feedback from farmers after they used the fertiliser in the field?

Dr Javed: Yes, farmers are satisfied. Many farmers have shared their experiences and views on using nano-urea on various television channels. At a time when fertiliser shortages are a concern, farmers are looking for alternatives. They are also keen to know when nano-urea will become available on the market.

BSS: Is nano-urea ready for large-scale commercial production?

Dr Javed: We already have a small pilot plant. We have also completed the full design for a commercial plant. If an industrial enterprise is interested, we are ready to move forward with production.

BSS: Have there been any discussions with the industrial sector or the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) about large-scale production?

Dr Javed: We have held several discussions with the Ministry of Industries. We proposed that BCIC could produce nano-urea using its existing factories and facilities. A team from the corporation visited our laboratory and asked us to submit a proposal. We have sent a detailed proposal and are still waiting for a response. We are keen to cooperate on this initiative.

BSS: India’s Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has already marketed liquid nano-urea. Are there any technical differences between its product and the nano-urea you have developed?

Dr Javed: We began our work in 2018 and submitted our first patent application in 2019. India launched its product in 2021. Our formulation has extremely small particles, remains stable for around two years and is produced without the use of toxic chemicals. These features are described in our patent. We carried out this work independently and through an original approach. Our 2019 application serves as documentary evidence of this.

BSS: Do you plan to seek international patent protection for this innovation, through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or in other countries?

Dr Javed: We are considering international patent protection. However, cost and time are major considerations. We will move forward if we receive the necessary support.

BSS: Do you see any potential for exporting nano-urea in the future after meeting domestic demand?

Dr Javed: Our first priority is to meet domestic demand. Subsequently, if we can ensure quality and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, there may be export opportunities in agricultural countries across Asia and Africa. However, this remains a possibility rather than a confirmed plan.

BSS: What support have you received from Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) and the government during your research and the patent application process?

Dr Javed: JUST has provided me with laboratory facilities and a research environment. During the long wait for the patent, the initiatives and support of the Prime Minister and Md Ismail Zabihullah, head of the Governance Innovation Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office, played a major role. I am grateful to them.

BSS: What other innovations involving nanotechnology are being developed at JUST’s nanotechnology laboratory?

Dr Javed: We are working on nano-pesticides under a World Bank-University Grants Commission (UGC) project. Recently, we also received a proposal from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to work on nanotechnology-based road construction. Our aim is to open up new horizons for agricultural technology in Bangladesh.

BSS: What advice would you give young Bangladeshi scientists and researchers who are held back by a lack of laboratory facilities or funding?

Dr Javed: I would urge them to be patient. My first application was rejected, but I did not stop. Rather than becoming discouraged by a lack of laboratory facilities or funding, they should first identify the problem and begin working on a small scale. They should carefully preserve research dates, data and relevant documents, as these are particularly important in patent applications. They should also seek partnerships with public and private organisations.