Soil Management: Soil Testing Cards are given to Visakhapatnam's Farmers.

Visakhapatnam: In the district, World Soil Day was celebrated on 5th December. While the district administration launched, to educate farmers about collection of soil samples and use of nutrients, distribution of soil testing cards to 95,000 farmers all over the district and teams were sent, a voluntary organisation, the Bhagavatula Charitable Trust-Krushi Vignana Kendram at Elamanchili, organised a programme to mark the day.

MLC Pappala Chalapathi Rao cited his own experience of increasing the use of machinery in agriculture and adopting integrated farming practices. Mr. Chalapathi Rao said farmers could become financially strong if they concentrate on cattle rearing, fisheries and other agro-allied fields. Farmers must take advice from scientists and they should not depend on the government even for minor issues.

Additional Director N. Venugopala Rao said, Farmers have to protect the strength and life of soil and could make use of organic manure being prepared at the Regional Agriculture Research Station at Anakapalle.

Assistant Director of Agriculture Satyanarayana explained the soil testing cards and collection of soil samples. Project Director of Agriculture Technology Management Authority Lakshmana Das regretted that the farmer was keen on using more fertilizer, while world over the concern was about the health of earth. Use of organic manure and integrated farming practices that include dairy farming were the best alternative.

Coordinator of Eruvaka programme Moshe, scientists P. Jamuna, B. Pradeep Kumar, Srihari Rao, Malleswara Rao, Nagendra, Subba Reddy, Patil, Asha, Madhu, and T.V.S. Raghava Rao and Somayajulu of BCT spoke on different aspects of soil conservation and use of manure.

An exhibition on agriculture, management, fodder, Ayurvedic medicines, organic agriculture, etc. was held. Assistant Directors of Agriculture Malakondayya and Rama Rao, Agriculture Officers from mandals and farmers participated.

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