Punjab offers free soil testing to farmers to enhance crop yield; over 1 lakh soil samples tested

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): With an aim to curb over-fertilisation by promoting a soil test-based approach and balanced fertiliser use for higher yields at lower cost, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has collected over one lakh soil samples and reports were given to concerned farmers at free-of-cost to assist them in improving their crop yields through sustainable farming practices.

Sharing this information today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian mentioned that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has set a target to collect and test at least 2.50 lakh soil samples during this financial year. The department has successfully collected and tested 1,16,117 samples so far. Notably, there are 58 soil testing labs across the state.

Urging state farmers to get the soil tested before sowing the next crops, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian emphasised that soil testing is essential for determining the nutrients present in the soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients. This knowledge enables farmers to apply fertilisers more judiciously and effectively, ensuring optimal crop growth. Regular testing can also help monitor soil health over time, identifying issues such as salinity, contamination, or degradation, and understanding whether the soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline, which can influence crop selection. By knowing the exact nutrient requirements, farmers can avoid over-fertilisation, saving costs and reducing environmental impacts, he added.

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Mr. Jaswant Singh mentioned that farmers can utilise alternative sources of DAP, which are equally beneficial and effective for wheat crop, as suggested by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. He further informed that farmers can use 75 kg of NPK (12:32:16) per acre, or 150 kg of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) plus 20 kg of Urea per acre, or 50 kg of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) plus 20 kg of Urea per acre, or 90 kg of NPK (10:26:26) per acre, instead of using a bag of DAP. He also urged the farmers to use organic manures for improving soil physical properties.