In a collaborative effort, the Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO) and the Soil Testing Laboratory organized a comprehensive awareness program on soil testing for farmers. Held on a Tuesday evening and in partnership with the Pale Tolem Xetkaranchem Association (PTXA), the initiative aimed to educate farmers on the profound impact of soil quality on crop yield while emphasizing the benefits of Soil Health Cards.
PTXA President Roquezinho D'Souza emphasized the program's significant benefits for farmers, stating, "The ZAO informed me about a one-day awareness camp emphasizing the importance and benefits of soil testing and soil health cards for the farmers of Pale and Velsao Village. The ZAO will demonstrate the method of soil testing, highlighting its significance for crop and fruit yield health. This program is happening for the first time in the village, replacing the earlier practice of taking soil samples to Margao for testing. The presence of a ZAO office at Cortalim has significantly benefited the farmers."
Taking a pioneering step in Velsao, the program provided farmers with guidance on proper soil collection methods, taking into account the environmental factors influencing soil quality.
ZAO Officer from the Soil Testing Laboratory, Manjunath Hadpad, explained that farmers were educated about the soil health card. "We explain to farmers how soil health is crucial for crops and how to determine if the soil is acidic or alkaline. Additionally, we elaborate on the necessary steps to be taken. Information about fertilizers and their components is also provided, emphasizing the importance of balance in all fertilizer components to enhance soil and plant health. We guide farmers through the procedure of drawing a soil sample for testing and elucidate the benefits of the soil health card. Within 15 days, we provide farmers with tested soil sample results and recommendations."
This educational initiative underscores the vital role of informed soil management in achieving elevated agricultural productivity, empowering farmers for a prosperous future.