THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Soon, it will just take a click to know the fertility, depth, and 22 other parameters of the soil beneath us, no matter where we stand. A web-based microlevel information system on the soils of Kerala (MISSK), which currently covers two districts of Thrissur and Wayanad, has been launched, and intends to be the soil database of Kerala.The web-based system was launched by Governor P Sathasivam at VJT Hall, here, on Wednesday. He handed over a copy of the soil report of Kolazhi panchayat, in Thrissur, to panchayat member Sabu.
Information from 53 panchayats in Idukki and 100 in Malappuram is being collected. The Governor said that to solve soil degradation issues and increase the productivity of the soil, it was important to rely on scientific land management technologies. He said he resorted to testing of soil to find the ideal crop to be planted in the 25 acres of fertile land he owns in Tamil Nadu. “The detailed soil survey covering every parcel of land will greatly help in soil conservation,” he said.Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan, who presided over the function, said it was the commercialisation of farming which harmed soil. “However, officials, farmers, public and school students have joined hands to revive organic farming. The state was drawn into the movement after a group of officials from Sikkim, which relies on organic farming, visited here. By 2016, Kerala aims to become an organic state,” he said.Health Minister V S Sivakumar, in his keynote address, commented that the initiative will help take some load off the farmer. He said the state government, which is planning to develop an alternative to the extreme dependence on vegetables from other states, will greatly gain from Web-based MISSK.
Soil Survey and Soil Conservation Department Director P N Premachandran, KAU Vice-Chancellor P Rajendran spoke.