Press Trust Of India
Suratgarh (Rajasthan), Feb 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday launched a Soil Health Card scheme, under which the Centre plans to target over 14crore farmers in the next three years to check the excess use of fertilizers.
Pointing out that soil health has deteriorated due to high usage of fertilizers, Modi asked farmers to take care of soil. The card, to be issued after testing soil, would help them save up to Rs 50,000 in three acres of land, he said.
Modi also said that the newly set up Niti Aayog and the states have been asked to constitute high-powered expert committees on agriculture to boost farm growth.
“We used more urea, more water and more fertilizers to get more benefits but as a result of it, the soil health deteriorated. Now, it is high time we pay attention towards it. Therefore, the government is today launching this national scheme,” Modi said here after launching the central scheme.
The card, which will carry crop-wise recommendation of fertilizers required for farm lands, will help farmers identify health of soil and judiciously use soil nutrients.
Farmers need to do away with traditional farming techniques and adopt scientific methods of agriculture to raise crop yields, Modi said, adding that the farming strategy should depend upon the quality of soil.
Modi asked farmers to be more concerned about soil health and said that “like we care for our health and body, we also need to pay attention towards the soil and land which is our ‘Dharti Mata’ (motherland). If we care for the soil, it will care for us and will give more benefits”.
Referring to the song “Vande Mataram,” Modi said that in order to achieve land that is truly Sujalam, Sufalam, (well- irrigated and fertile), it is necessary to nurture soil andthe soil health card scheme is a step towards fulfilling.
