Experts urge Mandya farmers to use soil tests for better fertilizer management

Experts have called on farmers to focus on soil health and use fertilizers based on soil testing to keep farming sustainable. Dr. C. Ramachandra, Director of Extension at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Mandya, shared this advice during the Mandya District Cooperative Conference. The event took place at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in V.C. Farm, Mandya, and was organized alongside UAS Mandya, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited.

Fertilizer Use

Dr. Ramachandra explained that using too much fertilizer raises farming costs and harms soil fertility and crop yields. Farmers must understand soil needs and use balanced amounts of nutrients to protect the land for the future. Dr. C. Narayanaswamy, the state marketing manager for IFFCO in Bengaluru, noted that a new regional office in Mandya will help farmers get fertilizers and technical guidance more easily. He also pointed out that relying on imported raw materials for chemical fertilizers drives up production costs, making proper testing and the use of biofertilizers very important.

Conference Details

Dr. Atifa Munavvari, senior scientist and head of KVK in Mandya, noted that India currently produces about 376 million metric tonnes of food, but protecting soil health remains vital. More than 80 farmers, including women and youth from various taluks of Mandya district, attended the gathering. Other officials present included B. Chetan, Dr. H.M. Mahesh, and Dr. D.K. Suresh.

Context

Soil testing helps farmers find out exactly what nutrients are missing in their fields so they do not waste money on extra chemicals. Krishi Vigyan Kendra centers across India work locally to bridge the gap between agricultural research and everyday farming practices.