Chauhar Valley Soil Testing Drive Gains Momentum: 90 Farmers Get Their Soil Tested Under Special Agriculture Department Initiative.
Shimla:
A major soil-testing campaign launched by the Agriculture Department in the remote Chauhar Valley of Mandi district has witnessed an encouraging response, with nearly 90 farmers from Sunwar and Batheri panchayats getting their soil samples tested in the mobile soil-testing laboratory.
The special drive was initiated on the directions of Dr. Ram Chander Chaudhary, Deputy Director, Agriculture (Mandi district), with the aim of improving crop quality and ensuring that farmers in hard-to-reach areas receive timely scientific support. The initiative, first launched in 2015 under the Soil Health Card Scheme, had earlier seen limited reach in remote regions like Chauhar Valley. However, renewed efforts by the department—supported significantly by Mandi Press Club President Subhash Thakur, who hails from Chauhar Valley—helped in bringing the facility directly to farmers’ doorsteps. His persistent persuasion of departmental authorities eventually made the special campaign a reality, enabling a large number of farmers to benefit from soil testing services locally.
Farmers Respond Enthusiastically
Under the first phase of the campaign, around 90 farmers submitted 500-gram soil samples each to the laboratory van stationed in the valley. The soil testing team conducted live demonstrations, showing farmers how the tests are performed and educating them on how to properly collect soil samples from their fields. The Agriculture Extension Officers also provided extensive guidance on parameters to be tested and common issues related to soil health.
The department will issue Soil Health Cards within the next three to four days, detailing nutrient levels and guiding farmers on crop-specific fertilizer application.
Sunwar Panchayat Leads With 74 Soil Samples
A total of 74 farmers from Sunwar Panchayat alone participated in the drive. Their soil samples were tested for nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, zinc, copper, iron, manganese and organic carbon—key indicators of soil fertility.
Local representatives including Panchayat Pradhan Meera Thakur, Vice Pradhan Chander Prakash, former Pradhan Sagar Thakur, former Vice Pradhan Jitender, Jagdish, and several ward members were present during the campaign, encouraging farmers to take full advantage of the facility.
Dozens of farmers—including Rafiq, Ramesh Kumar, Mahender Pal, Bhuri Devi, Joginder Kumar, Bansi Lal, Reshma Devi, Parvati, Shanta Devi, Ashok Kumar, Rita Kumari, Sheila Devi, Geeta Devi, Kuldeep Kumar, Sagar Singh, Muni Devi, Devi Chand, Bashir, Tilak, Chamaru Ram, Masoom Ali, Krishna Lal, Neema Devi and many others—submitted their soil samples for testing.
Agriculture Department Team
The campaign was carried out by a team of Agriculture Department officials including:
- Anil Saini, Agriculture Development Officer
- Atyender, Soil Testing Laboratory, Sundernagar
- Brijlal, Agriculture Extension Officer
- Khem Singh, Laboratory Assistant
- Prakash Chand, Agriculture Development Officer, Drang
Agriculture Development Officer Prakash Chand Thakur highlighted the importance of soil testing and explained how nutrient-specific recommendations can significantly improve crop productivity, reduce input costs and enhance farmers’ income.
A Step Toward Better Crop Quality and Higher Productivity
The special soil-testing campaign aims to:
- Encourage farmers to routinely assess soil health
- Provide precise information on nutrient deficiencies
- Improve the quality and yield of crops
- Increase farmers’ income through scientific land management
With the enthusiastic participation of farmers and the proactive involvement of local representatives and media fraternity leader Subhash Thakur, the Chauhar Valley soil-testing drive has emerged as a promising step toward strengthening scientific farming practices in the region.
