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Soil
testing is an important parameter, which is mostly required in crop
production. Soil testing helps the farmer to use the fertilizers input to
the exact requirement so that he can avoid incurring more money by using
excess quantity or getting low yields by using less quantity.
This helps
the farmer to know the type of soil (Colour and Texture), Organic matter
status, Effervescence, Ph, EC, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash
in the soil. The farmer will be able to
use the required soil amendment for improving the fertility status
of the soil and also crops which can be grown successfully.
In
Chittoor district one soil-testing laboratory was functioning earlier to
cater the needs of all the farmers of the district. Govt. has decided to
open revenue division wise soil testing laboratories to serve more no. of
farmers in a stipulated time.
Accordingly
soil-testing laboratories have been established at Chittoor and Madanaplle
in the premises of Agricultural Market Committees, in addition to the
existing soil testing laboratory at S.V. Agricultural college premises
Tirupati.
The
existing 66 mandals in district have been allocated among the three
laboratories according to convenience and soil analysis is being taken up.
In
addition to soil analysis, water samples are also analyzed and results are
communicated to the farmers duly indicating the suitability of water for
cultivation of different crops and also measures to be taken in
cultivation of salt sensitive crops.
To
give detailed information to the farmer a format on soil testing and
fertilizers recommendations with different important fertilizers
combinations has been designed and named as SOIL HEALTH CARD and submitted
to the Commissioner and Director of Agriculture (AP) Hyderabad.
Software has been developed on this subject to obtain the required
data for individual farmer, village wise and mandal wise, whichever
needed, with help of IT-FACILITATOR,
ATMA -Chittoor under NATP.
This Soil Testing System Package will be utilized at all the Farmers
Information & Advisory Centres (FIACs) buildings of Agricultural
Technology Management Agency (ATMA) for benefit of the farmers. |
