Soil Management: Minister Urged to Farmers for Testing Soil Health.

Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare S. Sundararaj has exhorted farmers for increased production and apply minimum fertilizers, test the health of the soil and cultivate the recommended crops.

On the occasion of World Soil Health Day while addressing farmers, Minister said that by testing the health of the soil, farmers would be able to select the right type of crops for the field and achieve maximum benefits. He said, to benefit the farmers, the State government opened 30 permanent soil testing centres and 16 mobile centres.

He said, In Ramanathapuram district, 6,238 soil tests were carried out from 133 of the 400 revenue villages and steps were being taken to cover the remaining villages.

The Minister said “Farmers, following the footsteps of their forefathers, should take up organic farming to the extent possible and increase the production after testing the health of the soil.”

Under National Food Security Scheme, The Minister also distributed tractors and other agriculture implements to 14 farmers at a total cost of Rs 14.69 lakh and under National Horticulture Mission, power tillers to four farmers.

He also distributed soil health cards to nine farmers. To create awareness of vermicompost, bio-fertilizer, liquid bio-fertilizers and cultivation of green manure crops, the Department of Agriculture organised an exhibition on organic farming.

The function was attended by N.V. Krishnamoorthy, Joint Director of Agriculture, district panchayat union chairman M. Sundarapandian and Paramakudi Municipality Chairperson Keerthika Muniasamy.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/