Maps to sensitize farmers in determing need of fertilizers for soil
By Amrit Pal Brar
Jalandhar, July 6- In order to sensitize the farmers about the judicious use of fertilizers in the fields, the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare department has been installing soil fertility maps in all the villages showing the deficiency of nutrients in the soil.
The soil fertility maps are being installed on common places in the villages which will guide farmers about the nutrient deficiency in the soil so that they can use fertilizers in their fields according to need.
Divulging the details, the deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said that the agriculture department has designed soil fertility maps on the basis of soil samples collected under the Soil Health Scheme across the district. He said that the department has so far issued 33342 soil health cards so far which are benefiting the farmers extensively in the district.
“These block-wise soil fertility maps have been designed in a way that farmers can get knowledge about the deficiency of any particular nutrient in the soil in their respective villages and can accordingly; use the fertilizers rather than spraying carelessly.
The fertility maps will not only help in keeping the soil healthy but will also save the farmers’ money being wasted on unnecessary fertilizers,” he said.
The areas with deficiency of nutrients are marked in separate colours,” he said and added that presently 567 villages of the district are installed with the fertility maps the remaining 439 villages are being covered continually where the fertility maps are being installed.
Meanwhile, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Dr. Nazar Singh said that the soil fertility map shows the status of Nitrogen, phosphorous, potash, organic carbon, zinc, manganese and, etc in the soil. The farmers of the village can easily ascertain the status of their soil which will help in lowering of their fertilizer bill on crops, he told.
He also stated that the name and mobile numbers of area experts also indicated on the soil fertility Map and the farmers can directly contact with the experts at any time for advisory on fertilizer usage
CAO said that the overuse of fertilizers causes an imbalance in the soil. He exhorted farmers to use the fertilizers according to the soil fertility maps installed in their villages and if they want good results.
