Kolkata, July 6 -- State Agricultural Marketing Minister Dilip Ghosh on Monday inaugurated a modern soil testing laboratory at the Dantan Manab Kalyan Kendra in West Midnapore. The facility was constructed at a cost of Rs 29 lakh, sanctioned from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund during Ghosh's tenure as the MP from Midnapore.
Following the inauguration, the minister, who also holds charge of the Panchayats and Rural Development (P&RD) Department, inspected the laboratory and its infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, Ghosh said the facility would serve as a "health guide" for farmers by analysing soil quality and providing scientific recommendations on crop planning, balanced fertiliser use, reduction in cultivation costs and improvement of agricultural productivity. He said the laboratory would also help expand training opportunities in modern agricultural practices with support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and other government agencies.
According to the minister, the initiative is expected to strengthen the agricultural economy of the Dantan region while enabling local farmers to become more self-reliant through scientific
farming practices.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.