On Friday, the postal department in Pune region launched an initiative called Kisan Vigyan Doot in an attempt to help farmers test the fertility of the soil. The project has been launched in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Baramati. All that farmers have to do now is take soil samples and submit to the nearest post office. The samples will then be sent for testing to a KVK centre and a report on the nutrient requirements of the soil will be sent to the farmers.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Baramati is a district-level Farm Science Centre, which was first established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in August 1992.
The announcement about the project was made at the Postmaster General’s office.
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The assistant postmaster general, F B Sayed told The Times of India, “The rural post offices can collect soil samples from farmers and send it to the KVKs. India Post will act as the farmers’ messenger with KVKs offering a perfect blend of its services.”
Pune region has 2,161 post office branches in rural areas across four districts including Pune, Satara, Solapur, and Ahmednagar. Sayed added that the initiative will first be implemented at the branch offices of Pune Mofussil Division.
Vivek Bhoite who is a specialist in soil testing at KVK, Baramati said the quality of the soil is deteriorating due to increasing urbanisation. The fertility of soil has also worsened due to lack of information about soil health. He added, “Most of the farmers are unaware about soil health thus the fertility has worsened. Farmers have approached us for tests from Pune, Phaltan in Satara district, Ahmednagar, Solapur, and Bhor tehsil.”
At present, the entire process from submission of samples to obtaining the review takes around eight days. This time is expected to reduce after the implementation of Kisan Vigyan Doot.
Farmers are pleased with this initiative because earlier, they were unable to look after their land when the tests were being conducted,
To know more about the initiative contact +91 2112 255207/227 or visit the KVK, Baramati website.
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