Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that to ensure that farmers got the benefit of soil testing, many private agencies including private banks, had been roped in to conduct soil testing and advise farmers on the nutrients to be added in the soil.
“The beginning has been made with HDFC Bank, which will conduct free soil testing for farmers in 250 villages of Uttar Pradesh. This initiative aims at helping farmers understand their soil composition and nutrient quality,” he said.
The minister said that with soils testing, the farmers would learn about optimal use of fertilisers and the latest varieties of seeds to be used, enabling them to increase their crop yield.
Known as ‘Unnati Ka Uphar — Mati Parikshan’, this initiative will run for a full month.
At present, farmers have to travel long distances to the nearest testing facility for testing of their soil. This is time consuming as well as expensive.
“With private banks’ participation, mobile soil testing solution vans will visit each village and test soil samples on site digitally,” Shahi said.
The farmers will be made aware of incorrect farming practices and told about techniques they can use to improve their soil nutrition.
Over 10,000 farmers of 250 villages will directly benefit from this month-long initiative.
The ‘Unnati Ka Uphar — Mati Parikshan’ was launched in Meerut. HDFC Bank head, Branch Banking, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Sanjeev Kumar, was present at the inaugural event.
“It is our bank’s long-term endeavour to bring about a positive change in the society that we operate in. We are happy to announce that the soil testing and education programme will benefit farmers of Uttar Pradesh and bring in prosperity,” Kumar said.