Soil testing conducted for 132 farmers in Salyan, most soil found acidic

By Our Correspondent,Salyan, May 9: A soil testing camp has been conducted in Salyan with the objective of conserving soil fertility and promoting commercial agriculture.

The programme was organised by the National Agricultural Modernisation Programme Implementation Unit, Salyan, with technical support from the Integrated Agricultural Laboratory, Surkhet. 

Along with the soil testing camp, the digital soil map updating programme was also completed.

According to the Project Implementation Unit, soil samples from the farmland of 132 farmers across the district were collected and tested. 

The camp mainly targeted farmers living in designated zone areas under the government’s agricultural modernisation initiative.

Project Unit Chief Anil Baniya said that the tests showed that most soil samples were acidic. 

He added that agricultural lime and other necessary materials would be distributed in areas where soil acidity was found to be high in order to improve soil quality.

Senior Agriculture Officer of the Integrated Agricultural Laboratory, Surkhet, Prayog Bahadur Shahi, said that excessive use of chemical fertilisers has been degrading soil quality. 

He said that although farmers are advised to use fertilisers only according to recommendations after soil testing, many do not fully follow the guidelines, which has worsened the problem.

It is expected that the programme will help increase agricultural production and preserve soil quality, as farmers can easily learn which crops are suitable to grow after soil testing. 

Agriculture experts said that around 55 per cent of Nepal’s soil is acidic, and that long-term agricultural productivity cannot be increased without improving soil conditions.

Chief District Officer Mahendra Kumar Sapkota also participated in the soil testing programme.

Participants emphasised that soil testing is essential for increasing agricultural production.