POONCH, DECEMBER 05: The Department of Agriculture, Poonch today organised a farmers’ awareness camp here at Jhullas to mark the observance of Soil Health Day focusing on this year’s theme ‘Healthy soils for healthy cities.’
The event, presided over by the Joint Director SLUB, Aman Joyti in presence of Agriculture Economist Tilak Raj and Chief Agriculture Officer, Jograj Singh Slathia, witnessed the gathering of hundreds of farmers.
Addressing the gathering, the Joint Director SLUB emphasized the importance of soil sustainability and emphasised that if managed properly, soil can absorb the rainwater, regulate temperature, store carbon and improve air quality which otherwise has remained affected due to the commercial developments in the cities.
The Chief Agriculture Officer highlighted that the department has achieved the full target of distributing 2500 soil health cards. “The targets of distribution of Soil Health Cards and soil sample collection have been fully achieved, while sample analysis is under process,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of the Soil Health Card, he said it is a personalized report of soil, analyzed on 12 key parameters including soil nutrient status for crop-specific recommendations and dose of fertilizer requirement. Soil analysis helps in increasing crop yield, reducing fertilizer cost and improving soil health for long-term productivity and soil sustainability, he informed.
Later, 60 Soil Health Cards were distributed among the farmers by the Joint Director SLUB and Chief Agriculture Officer. The event was also attended by the Subject matter Specialist, Field functionaries, staff of Soil Testing Laboratory Poonch and Krishi Udhaymis of the zone.
Similar events were also organized at Sub-divisional HQ Surankote and Mendhar with distribution of the soil health card among the local farmers.
Meanwhile, Joint Director Aman Joyti accompanied by Agriculture economist Tilak Raj conducted a detailed review meeting here at Chief Agriculture Office Complex, focusing on the implementation of the agriculture schemes in the district.
During the visit, he inaugurated Custom Hiring Centre established under HADP at village Jhullas and inspected a Mushroom unit and Hi-Tech and Low cost Polygreen houses established by the HADP beneficiaries.
