Sri Vijaya Puram, May 26: The Department of Agriculture, A&N Administration under the leadership of Smt. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agri), A&N Administration initiated collection of soil samples from farmers field followed by analysis for 12 parameters and distribution of 10,000 Soil Health Cards (SHCs) with information on soil’s nutrient status to the farmers of various zones of Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
During the distribution campaign, the Officers and Official of Agriculture & ATMA provided advisory to the farmers and emphasized the importance of balanced fertilizer application, encouraging integrated use of chemical fertilizers along with bio-fertilizers and organic manures to maintain soil fertility. Farmers were also urged to make efficient use of locally available resources, such as farm yard manure, vermicompost, green manures, pond silt and poultry manure with reduced input costs to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Further, the Department assured the farming community of continued support through regular field-level monitoring and periodic soil testing to maintain long-term soil health enhancing crop production.