Hyderabad: Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University announced a plan to train 30,000 soil health volunteers across the State over the next two months.
Vice-Chancellor Aldas Janayya said the university would implement the programme in coordination with the Agriculture Department. Under the plan, two to three persons from each revenue village will receive training.
Soil health programme to cover 2.4 lakh farmers
The training will focus on soil health management, including testing, soil health cards, and preparation of analytical reports. Moreover, the university will conduct sessions through 31 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 15 research stations.
Trained volunteers will create awareness among farmers in their villages. As a result, the initiative aims to reduce excessive use of chemical fertilisers.
The Board of Management approved the programme during its final meeting held under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor. In addition, the board cleared the annual budget for the upcoming financial year.
The Vice-Chancellor said maintaining soil health was essential for producing nutritious food. He added that the initiative would guide farmers on crop patterns and improve farm incomes.
Further, the university approved the revival of the “Rythu Mungitlo Shastravettalu” programme. The outreach will run from April 27 to May 25.
Around 200 teams of scientists, students, and officials will visit nearly 1,600 villages. Consequently, the programme will reach about 2.4 lakh farmers across the State.
Officials said the outreach would cover key issues such as fertiliser use, crop diversification, and cultivation of high-demand crops. It will also spread awareness about government welfare schemes.
The Vice-Chancellor said the programme received a strong response last year. Therefore, the university decided to continue it this year.
These initiatives received approval from the Board in line with directions issued by Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao.