90 farmers of Mandi’s Chauhar valley get soil samples tested

A soil-testing campaign launched by the Agriculture Department in the remote Chauhar valley of Mandi district has received an encouraging response. As many as 90 farmers of Sunwar and Batheri panchayats got their soil samples tested in a mobile laboratory yesterday. The initiative, started under the Soil Health Card Scheme in 2015, had previously reached a limited number of farmers in remote areas but renewed efforts by the department brought the facility directly on farmers’ doorsteps.

During the first phase of the campaign, around 90 farmers submitted 500-gram soil samples each and the testing team conducted live demonstrations to show proper sample collection and explain testing procedures. Agriculture Extension Officers provided guidance on parameters for testing and common soil health issues. The department would issue Soil Health Cards in the next three or four days, detailing nutrient levels and advising farmers on crop-specific fertiliser application.

Sunwar panchayat reported the largest participation, as 74 farmers submitted soil samples for testing for nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, zinc, copper, iron, manganese and organic carbon — key indicators of soil fertility. Local representatives, including panchayat pradhan Meera Thakur, up-pradhan Chander Prakash, former pradhan Sagar Thakur and several ward members, were present to encourage the participating farmers. A number of farmers, including Rafiq, Ramesh Kumar, Mahender Pal, Bhuri Devi, Joginder Kumar, Bansi Lal, Reshma Devi, Parvati, Shanta Devi, Ashok Kumar, Rita Kumari, Sheila Devi, Geeta Devi, Kuldeep Kumar, Sagar Singh, Muni Devi, Devi Chand, Bashir, Tilak, Chamaru Ram, Masoom Ali, Krishna Lal and Neema Devi, submitted soil samples for testing.

Agriculture Department officials, including Anil Saini, Agriculture Development Officer; Atyender from Soil Testing Laboratory, Sundernagar; Brijlal, Agriculture Extension Officer; Khem Singh, Laboratory Assistant; and Prakash Chand Thakur, Agriculture Development Officer, Drang, carried out the campaign. They said that soil testing provided precise nutrient information, which could improve crop productivity, reduce input costs and enhance farmers’ incomes.

The aim of the special initiative is to encourage farmers to routinely assess soil health, identify nutrient deficiencies, improve crop quality and yield and increase their incomes through scientific land management.