Punjab agri deptt intensifies quality control programme

Moga, Oct 4 (UNI) The Punjab Agriculture Department under the quality control programme to provide quality fertilizers, pesticides and seeds to the farmers, tested 1512 samples of fertilizers upto September end.

As many as 39 of these fertilizer samples failed the quality test. A total of 3500 fertilizer samples are to be tested during the current financial year.

Similarly out of 5100 seed samples testedin this fiscal year, 147 were found sub-standard. Out of 1813 samples of pesticides, 99 tested negative.

During the year 2006-07, the departmet had tested 3420 samples of fertilizers, out of which 23 samples were found sub-standard during laboratory tests.

Similarly out of 2512 samples of pesticides, 39 samples were found sub-standard and out of 16000 samples of seeds, 147 samples were found sub-standard in the last fiscal year, state Agriculture Director Dr Gurdev Singh Gill said here today.

Dr Gill said that suitable legal action would be taken against those dealers whose samples were found sub-standard.

Refering to the Soil Health Programme. Dr Gill said that within next five years, fertility status of the land of each farmer would be determined. Accordingly permanent soil cards would be given to each farmer which would help in keeping track of the fertility of the soil.

Dr Gill, who was here in connection with the farmers training camp for the rabi crops stressed upon the need to use water judiciously. Dr Gill suggested using sprinklers and drip irrigation system to avoid excessive and reckless use of water.

He also disclosed that an expert committee of the government of India visited Punjab recently to explore the latest methods of irrigation keeping in view the declining water table.

UNI