Sri Vijaya Puram | April 15
In a move that literally digs deep into farming issues, the Department of Agriculture, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, rolled out an awareness programme on Soil Health and distribution of Soil Health Cards under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). Held at Gram Panchayat Tushnabad in Ferrargunj Block on April 12, the event aimed to enlighten farmers about the nutrient profile of their soil and promote smarter, more sustainable farming.
Presided over by Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture), the camp had scientists, field officers, and Panchayat members urging local cultivators to go back to the roots, literally and figuratively. With growing concerns over soil degradation due to overuse of chemical fertilizers and poor crop planning, the event emphasized the need for organic farming practices, nutrient balancing, and the responsible use of bio-fertilizers.
Why Soil Health Cards Matter
Think of Soil Health Cards as diagnostic reports for farmland. Just as a blood test guides a doctor’s prescription, these cards provide farmers with data on soil pH, nutrient levels, and fertility indicators, along with tailored recommendations for dosage of manure, compost, and fertilizers. The goal? Healthier crops, reduced input costs, and more sustainable yields.
Farmers Get the Science Behind the Soil
Anand Amrit Raj, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Tushnabad, flagged off the programme with an impassioned appeal to farmers to embrace vermicompost, farmyard manure, and decomposed organic waste as part of their cultivation practices. “We need to stop treating soil like dirt,” he quipped.
Dr. Sahana Begum, Agriculture Officer of Ferrargunj, explained how excess or incorrect nutrient usage was not just wasteful but harmful to the land. “Timely and precise application of nutrients is key to restoring balance and fertility,” she said.
Adding a mechanised touch to the discussions, Santosh Kumar, In-charge, AD (AE) FM, spoke about the benefits of farm mechanization, while Gayatri Singh, Agriculture Assistant, championed Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)- a mix of organics, minerals, and good old common sense for long-term soil wellness.
Cards in Hand, Hope in the Soil
Soil Health Cards were then distributed to farmers from Tushnabad, Hobdipur, Manpur, and Collipur villages by a team that included Panchayat members Salamat Ali, Rajesh Mandal, and Agriculture Assistant Director Navashakti. These cards are expected to empower farmers with actionable insights and reduce dependency on guesswork.
In a time where climate change and erratic rainfall are already making agriculture unpredictable, this back-to-basics soil campaign is a gentle nudge to reconnect with the land and let science do the guiding.
The Agriculture Department has plans to expand this initiative across more villages, ensuring every farmer in South Andaman knows exactly what’s going on beneath their feet.
