STAFF REPORT LHR: The enterprise level GIS based system for soil and water analysis of 69 tehsils of Punjab has been developed by the Soil Fertility Research Institute (SFRI), Lahore.
Director Soil Fertility in a briefing to Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Azmat Ali Ranjha said that more than 13000 samples of fertilizers have been analysed by the institute during the last five years in fertilizer adulteration control campaign launched by the Punjab government.
He further informed that more than 6.8 million samples of soil, water and fertilisers were analysed by this institute since its inception. He also added that 3.4 million soil whereas 302488 water samples of farmers have also been analysed by this institute to provide them advisory services.
The Secretary said that a project costing to Rs 76.437 million for development of digitised profile for agriculture land in Punjab is being executed by Agriculture Department to develop spatial data base for soil-climate suitability for crops, vegetables and fruits in 114 targeted tehsils.
He said that farmers should make best use of facilities of soil, water and fertilizer analysis being provided by Punjab government at tehsils level to enhance their production. “Facilities are being provided by Punjab government at nominal rates of Rs 5 for water, Rs 1 for soil and Rs 100 for fertilizer analysis,” he maintained.