Reiterating the idea Prime Minister Narendra Modi said farmers must focus on the health of soil across the country, to boost productivity and bring about increased prosperity.
An encouraged Awasthi tweeted on Saturday : #IFFCO applauds d Excellent step by #PM @narendra modi for asking states to set-up expert panels to boost #Agriculture Sector in our country.
Modi said farmers can save a minimum of Rs 50,000 if they take decisions based on scientific testing of soil. Calling for soil testing to be made a regular feature, the Prime Minister said a new class of entrepreneurs could set up soil testing labs even in small towns.
It is to the credit of cooperative sector that the cooperative giant IFFCO had launched the mission christened ”Save our Soil ”and Awasthi personally has been active among farmers explaining to them the benefits of a balanced use of chemical fertilizers.
The centrally-sponsored scheme aims to provide soil health cards to over 14 crore farmers in the next three years to promote a balanced use of fertilisers.
The card, which will carry crop-wise recommendation of fertilisers required for farm lands, will help farmers identify health of soil and judiciously use soil nutrients.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Niti Aayog and the state governments to set up expert committees on agriculture to work out a common minimum programme for providing a boost to the sector.
“To improve agriculture, all the states and the Government of India together will hammer out a common minimum programme for a nation-wide implementation,” he said. Launching the Soil Health Card scheme, Modi said he has directed Niti Aayog and the states to set up high-powered expert committees on the agriculture sector.
Tuning into the renewed focus of the government on the issue Dr. U S Awasthi tweeted “ #IFFCO advise education of farmers for Judicial use of #Fertilisers, Congrats #PM @narendramodi 4 inspiring farmers to use Drip Irrigation.”