For making farmers aware of soil health testing and availing soil testing service at villages, a mega drive would be undertaken, informed Chief Minister Raman Singh while addressing the State level workshop organized at Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU) on the occasion of World Soil Day on Saturday.
“India and entire world has understood the importance of soil testing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged of taking this programme to village level and State Government will also try to reach every farmer,’’he stated.
He further said that side effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are now evident. “The fertility of fields is on decline and in such conditions green fertilizer and bio fertilizers are better alternatives,” the Chief Minister added.
According to the Chief Minister, Farmers in Chhattisgarh lead in adopting new farming techniques. They will also lead in farming on the basis of recommendations made in soil health card, he opined.
Giving more details about soil testing, he said, “Just like doctor performs our blood test and administers medicines based on the test results, the soil health card would have information about shortage of minerals, fertilizers to be used and the crop that can be taken respectively.
All farmers should get this card and practice farming accordingly, Raman Singh said.
He further remarked that youths at local level would be trained for soil testing and they would be provided testing kits.
He also inaugurated the soil health card distribution program and handed over cards to farmers.
The occasion was marked with presence of Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Chairman Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation Devji Bhai Patel and others.
Union Minister of State Vishnu Deo Sai opined that for making agriculture profitable there is need to know the nature of soil.
Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal expressing his views said that State Government would try to make soil health card for every farmer.