Farmers discuss need to improve soil health

Chandigarh, August 31

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Given the long-term repercussions of soil degradation due to excessive use of chemicals and burning of crop residue, farmers have felt the need to preserve soil health. A farmers’ meeting-cum-interactive session was held today to deliberate on “Soil biological health and cultivation of quality food as per international standards”.

Sanjeev Nagpal, an expert in sustainable agricultural practices and Sampurn Agriventures director, said, “Today India is surplus in food, but farmers are in a distressed condition loaded with debt. Our food is deficient in nutrition value and 50 per cent Indians are suffering from nutritional deficiency. India imports food supplements worth $4.5 billion.”

Harinder Singh Dhillon, a progressive farmer, said, “Punjab contributes nearly 60 per cent foodgrains to the central pool, but in the process, we have damaged our soil, water and air.”