55 village-level soil testing labs to come up in Ludhiana
Soil Health Cards help farmers reduce fertilizer expenses and prevent overuse
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana, December 17, 2024: In an effort to provide farmers with easy access to soil testing facilities at the grassroots level and to offer affordable testing without requiring long-distance travel, 55 village-level soil testing labs will be established in Ludhiana.
During a meeting with officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Co-operative departments, Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal stated that Ludhiana comprises 11 agriculture blocks, and five labs will be set up in each block. The Co-operative Department will appoint village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) who will collect soil samples from their respective areas.
Applicants must have completed at least 10th grade with a science background and possess basic computer knowledge.
After the Co-operative Department appoints them, the VLEs will receive training from agriculture officials on how to collect and analyze soil samples. They will be compensated Rs 300 for each sample collected, with each VLE will gather 3,000 samples in a year.
Jorwal emphasized that this initiative will provide farmers with timely and accurate soil analysis results, enabling better decisions regarding fertilizer application and soil management practices.
It will facilitate customized soil nutrient recommendations based on test results, enhance farmers' awareness of soil health, and help them optimize fertilizer use, thereby minimizing input costs and avoiding both under- and over-application.
Moreover, the Deputy Commissioner stated that this initiative will allow for the collection of local soil data, which can be used for conducting studies, formulating policies, and developing region-specific agricultural interventions.
He noted that farmers often apply fertilizers indiscriminately without sufficient knowledge about soil needs, leading to excessive expenditures.He warned that the overuse of fertilizers not only drains farmers' finances but also adversely affects soil health, ultimately impacting productivity.
Jorwal urged officials to expedite the process of appointing VLEs and conducting training sessions so that the soil testing initiative can be covered comprehensively throughout Ludhiana.