NABARD sanctions 26 ‘Mini Soil Testing Labs’ for J&K schools

Srinagar, Sept 19: NABARD has sanctioned grant assistance for the implementation of 1,000 Mini Soil Testing Labs in 1,000 schools under the School Soil Health Programme of Integrated Nutrition Management (INM) of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The project is being implemented by NAB Foundation, a subsidiary of NABARD. The pan India project is being implemented in two phases with a total financial outlay of Rs 12 crore.
In J&K, 26 such labs will be established, 15 in Jammu and 11 in Kashmir region.
Deputy General Manager NABARD, Surinder Singh told Rising Kashmir that the project aims to facilitate the testing of soil samples across 26 schools in J&K.
NAB Foundation shall provide the modern digital soil testing analysers along with 50 free testing kits to each school at first instance, during both the Kharif and Rabi seasons. The facility will provided be free of cost to farmers in the initial period of implementation and later a very nominal amount shall be charged by these schools from the farmers for availing this facility.
He said that the initiative seeks to cover an area of approximately 20,000 hectares, ensuring comprehensive soil testing. The project will not only focus on soil testing but also provide students with practical, hands-on learning experiences. Students will be actively involved in soil sampling, testing, and interpreting soil health cards, thereby gaining crucial insights into the science of soil health and its significance in agriculture.
“In terms of educational impact, the project is set to foster a deep understanding of soil health among students and teachers alike. By engaging students in practical learning, the project will help build knowledge about sustainable farming practices, encouraging them to adopt and promote such methods in the future. This hands-on approach will create a strong educational foundation in soil science, benefiting the participants in both their academic and personal growth,” he said.
He further said that the project will directly impart knowledge on soil health to an estimated 50,000 to 1,00,000 students, thereby creating a large-scale impact on future generations of both farmers and agricultural professionals.