Hyderabad: The stage is set for the training of 30,000 soil health volunteers across the state. The first batch of soil health volunteer training, jointly organised by Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) and the agriculture department, began for 1,200 volunteers on Monday.“Our govt is committed to providing soil health cards to all farmers in the state,” said agriculture department secretary Surendramohan. He emphasised that land is a farmer’s asset and that only healthy soil can yield more produce and enable the cultivation of healthy crops. He suggested that the volunteers should educate at least 10 farmers in their villages about soil health and encourage them to conduct soil tests.Presiding over the first batch of the training programme, PJTSAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Aldas Janaiah stated that the excessive use of chemical fertilisers beyond scientists’ recommendations has deteriorated soil health, leading to various diseases among people. He expressed concern that the chemicals used in agriculture are not only disrupting soil balance but also polluting air, water and the environment, resulting in the extinction of bird and animal species.Prof Janaiah stated that failing to preserve soil fertility would not only leave future generations with barren land parcels but also pass on unhealthy agricultural practices. He emphasised that soil health conservation should become a movement, laying the foundation for healthy crop cultivation through collective efforts. As part of the public governance progress plan, the university will provide training to 30,000 volunteers and issue them identification cards.
