BENGALURU: The state government will provide Soil Health Cards to 16.5 lakh farmers in the state by end of 2017, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda said on Monday.
Speaking at a World Soil Health Day event at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, the minister said officials are visiting fields to collect soil samples that are being tested for 12 different parameters. Apart from details on soil health, the card will have suggestions to farmers on measures that helps increase yield.
To ensure proper implementation of the project, the department has given GPS-enabled devices to the officials. When they visit a field to collect a sample, they also have to take a picture from that device and also enter grid location details. “This is being done to ensure that the officials actually visit individual fields to collect samples. Karnataka is the first state to use such a technology to ensure proper implementation of the project,’’ he said.
Best Farmers
The Agriculture Department and the Agricultural Sciences University felicitated farmers who have adopted scientific methodologies to get good yield even in adverse climatic conditions.
The ‘C Byregowda State Level Best Farmer Award’ was given to Manjunath, a farmer from Bediganhalli in Bengaluru rural district. In his 18-acre plot, he grows six different crops in one season. “We have divided my land into six to eight portions in which we cultivate different crops. Even if one fails, the other crop will give us good yield,’’ he told Express.
Manjunath, who studied up to PUC said, despite adverse conditions like drought farmers can get good yield provided they invest on soil health and adopt scientific methods like drip irrigation, mechanised farming, etc. “We earn a minimum `1 lakh a month even if there is any price fluctuation in the market,’’ he said.
Dr M H Marigowda was presented with best state-level horticulture farmer award while Dr Dwarkinath and Prof BV Venkat Rao were given awards for their scientific articles.