Parvesh Sharma Barnala, June 25 The efforts of the Barnala Agriculture Department to dissuade farmers from excessive use of fertilisers through the issuance of soil health cards are showing positive results. Many farmers from the district have not only reduced the use of fertilisers, but have also made others aware of ill-effects of use of excessive fertilisers. “I was using 25 kg DAP and 20 kg zinc sulfate per acre every year but after getting the soil tested after the issuance of soil health card, I came to know that there is no need of both fertilisers in my fields. After getting the report, I have stopped the use of both which would save Rs 1,500 per acre. I am also making other farmers aware of it,” said Mandeep Singh, a farmer of Thikriwal village. After tests in the Agriculture Department laboratory, farmers are getting soil test-based recommendations for the use of fertilisers to improve soil fertility. The recommendations of the department are not only reducing the amount of usage of fertilisers and saving the health of the land, but it’s also helping farmers in saving their money they used to spend on the purchase of fertilisers. Baljinder Singh, another farmer of Rajia village, said like many others, he had also got the test report of the soil of his farm and will surely reduce the use of fertilisers being used by him for various crops. “The excessive use of fertilisers not only costs us dearer, it also reduces the fertility of the land,” he said. Barnala Deputy Commissioner Dharam Pal Gupta has directed all officials concerned to spread awareness among farmers through special camps and by distributing free literature. “If we succeed in stopping farmers from using excessive fertilisers, it would have a great positive impact on farming,” said DC Gupta. Chief Agricultural Officer, Barnala, Rachpal Singh Khosa said the testing of water and soil was being conducted free of cost to make farmers aware of the use of balanced fertilisers. “There is no need to use phosphorus in 97 per cent of agricultural land in Barnala district. Potash, copper and sulfur in 99 per cent and manganese in 94 per cent farms are available in sufficient amount. Farmers should not use DAP before transplantation of paddy as it is sheer wastage of resources. Farmers should only use only 25 kg urea per acre in minimum water only in the evening to improve paddy yield,” said Dr Sarabjit Singh, in-charge, soil test lab of the Agriculture Department.

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