The State government is preparing a digital map of the state with data of water and soil analysis for the benefit of farmers, Associate Director of Agricultural Research Station P. Raghurami Reddy said.
Over 60% of the State has red soil with more than 40% having zinc and boron deficiency. The extent of cultivation has gone up and yields were phenomenal over the years.
However there is the issue of quality now that the farming community and the government is facing.
Mr. Reddy said the excessive use of chemical fertilizers had affected the soil health over the decades. Now the farmers should be discouraged from over use of fertilizers and instead be encouraged to use micro nutrients.
Sound knowledge
He was addressing the field level staff of a micro nutrient company, Aries Agro Limited, at the three-day training programme here on Thursday.
Mr. Reddy wanted the company’s field staff to equip themselves with sound knowledge of crop and deficiencies so that they could suggest properly the farmers at the right time.
Aries chairman Rahul Mirchandani said for 43 years their company has been producing 65 different products of micro nutrients and won the trust of farmers across 27 states.
They have been training their staff with sound knowledge on crops and health of soil and plant.
“We have been supplying 150 metric tonnes of mirco nutrients in 27 states and are most trusted by the farming community,” he said urging the staff to reach out to the farmers.
Support to farmers
Joint Director (Agriculture) D. Usha said farmers need more education and Aries staff should empower the farmers after the training session.
Agricultural University Dean G. Padmaja, Aries senior executive Jaypradeep Subramanian, ITM College director K. V. N. Prasad and others were present.