School Soil Health Program started under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. file photo
Prakash Kumar, Samastipur. Soil Testing Lab in Schools: Now the students of government schools of Samastipur district will not be limited to books only, but will learn scientifically by testing the soil in the laboratory.
Mini soil testing laboratories will be set up in five selected schools of the district, where students of classes 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th will understand the intricacies of soil testing.
This initiative is being taken under the School Soil Health Program run under the National Agricultural Development Scheme. The objective of the program is to develop scientific understanding among the students, promote experimental learning and sensitize them towards the environment.
Students will be able to know whether the soil is acidic, alkaline or normal by analyzing soil samples. Every year in Rabi and Kharif season, 25-25 soil samples will be tested from the students. This will give them information about soil structure, biodiversity and nutrients.
Besides, this program will also be helpful in making farmers aware and motivated towards soil testing, so that the damage caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers can be prevented.
Soil testing machine, necessary chemicals and equipment will be provided in the mini lab. With this, students will be able to understand how the nutrition of soil is maintained and what is its importance in crop production.
Benefits of Soil Health Card
Soil health card is prepared on the basis of soil testing, through which farmers get information about the fertility and nutrients of the field.
The card also tells in what proportion fertilizer should be used. The 12 major soil nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, carbon, boron, sulfur, zinc, magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, and zinc—are tested.
Mini soil lab will be set up in these schools
Amit Kumar, Assistant Director (Chemicals), Agriculture Department, Samastipur said that the registration process has been started by sending letters to the principals of the selected schools.