Farmers in Chikkaballapur are urging the government to establish a dedicated soil testing center to improve crop yields and ensure soil health.
Chikkaballapur
Amid various challenges, the district has consistently remained at the forefront of progressive agricultural activities, highlighting the urgent need for a well-equipped government soil testing laboratory.
Currently, private institutions are relied upon to test soil fertility and issue soil health cards. However, there is growing demand for a government-run laboratory at the district center. Every year, the target is to collect at least 18,000 soil samples across the district and provide soil health cards to farmers. In the current fiscal year, 10,381 samples were collected, 6,367 analyzed, and reports issued. Each sample requires a minimum of 20 minutes for testing. Due to staff shortages, there have been delays in delivering soil health cards to applicants. To address the workload, outsourced personnel have been appointed, and a nominal fee of Rs. 10 is charged per sample at the laboratory, while mobile labs provide the service free of charge.
Under the Prime Minister’s National Agriculture Development Scheme, Rs. 2.5 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a soil testing laboratory. Farmers and agricultural experts are urging that this fund be used promptly to establish the district center.
Importance of Soil Health
Excessive use of fertilizers and chemicals, neglect of soil fertility, and prioritizing profit-driven crops over timely cultivation have led to crop losses. Often, farmers fail to get quality yields. To prevent this, it is essential to test soil health periodically, determine which crops are suitable for which soil, and improve soil fertility to enhance productivity.
Every region is witnessing significant agricultural advancements using modern technology. Establishing high-tech soil testing facilities in the district center is crucial for providing quality services, raising awareness among farmers about soil health, testing methods, and benefits, and encouraging farmers to test soil before cultivation. Each hobli and village should have access to advanced soil testing facilities.
Existing Facilities
At Kagati in Chintamani taluk, the District Agricultural Training Center operates a soil testing laboratory, collecting and analyzing samples under the Soil Health Campaign and issuing reports. Additionally, two mobile plant health clinics, operating under the “Sanjeevini” initiative, visit farmers’ fields daily, testing 15–20 soil samples. Every district should have laboratories for soil health testing, and urgent steps are needed to establish a government soil testing center in Chikkaballapur.
