North News
Chandigarh, November 5
The Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has collected over one lakh soil samples, providing reports to farmers at no cost to encourage a soil test-based fertiliser approach aimed at higher yields and reduced expenses. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, the state targets collecting and testing at least 2.50 lakh soil samples this financial year. So far, 1,16,117 samples have been processed in 58 labs statewide.
Khudian urged farmers to test the soil before planting new crops, stressing that soil testing determines nutrient levels, aiding judicious fertiliser use and optimal crop growth. Regular tests also help monitor soil health, detect salinity or degradation, and identify soil pH levels, influencing crop choice. This process helps prevent over-fertilisation, saving costs and protecting the environment.
Director of Agriculture Jaswant Singh added that farmers can use alternative fertilisers as recommended by Punjab Agricultural University. Options include using combinations of NPK, Single Super Phosphate, Triple Super Phosphate, and Urea per acre. Singh also advised the use of organic manures for better soil health.
