Kandhamal,  Nov 3: In a bid to empower farmers and increase agricultural production, the District Collector of Kandhamal today distributed Soil Health Cards to farmers in Phiringia. The event took place at the Sakhipada village in the Phiringia Panchayat, where farmers like Gopal Behera, Pradeep Rana, Prafulla Chandra Sahu, Ghasi Ram Khanhar, Shri Ribini Khanhar, and Mukund Khanhar received the Soil Health Cards directly from the District Collector.

During the distribution ceremony, the District Collector, Bedabhushan, and Shambhunath Nandi explained details on Soil Health Card. It provides essential information on twelve key nutrients present in the soil, which are crucial for crop growth. Following the guidelines outlined in the cards, farmers are expected to reduce unnecessary use of chemical fertilizers, leading to lower farming costs and improved soil health.

According to Chitranjan Satpathy, the District's Chief Agricultural Officer, the Soil Health Cards will help address the deficiency of essential nutrients such as sulfur and zinc in the region's soil, which are vital for crops like Kandhamal Haldi. By applying the right amount of fertilizer as per the recommendations on the card, farmers can maintain soil quality and increase crop yield.

This initiative is expected to double the income of farmers in the district by improving agricultural productivity.