Moga, July 8, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant development, Punjab’s first of its kind plant clinic and soil testing laboratory has been established in Moga, with a grant from NITI Ayog, an agency of the central government.
The clinic, set up at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore, will provide free soil testing and plant disease diagnosis services to farmers. During an impressive programme held at Agricultural Office village Duneke, Mr Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Cabinet Minister Punjab inaugurated this project today.
While addressing the farmers Mr Khuddian said that the clinic was equipped with modern equipment, including an ICP-OES machine, which can analyze soil samples and provide detailed reports on nutrient content, pH levels, and other parameters.
The clinic will also have a plant doctor who will examine diseased plant samples and provide advice to farmers on how to manage diseases and pests.
He said that this project has been made possible with the efforts of the Punjab Government and support of the central government’s scheme, and will benefit farmers in the region.
With this clinic, farmers will be able to get their soil tested and receive expert advice on how to improve its fertility, thereby increasing their yields and incomes.
The clinic will also provide facilities for testing water and plant samples, and will have a digital microscope and other modern equipment.
This initiative is part of the Punjab government’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the region.
While interacting with the media, He said that now onwards our farmers wouldn’t be required to go out of the state to get the soil testing of their farms. More than 70 tests and diagnosis will be done under one roof.
He directed the agricultural officials to go to fields to make farmers aware of this facility. He informed that the Punjab Government has enhanced the budget from 350 crore to 500 crore to manage the crop residue in the coming harvesting season.
Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora and Mr Amritpal Singh Sukhanand (both MLAs) also addressed the farmers and thanked the Government of Punjab and Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian for this project.
Prominent among others, Mr Baljit Singh Channi Mayor Municipal Corporation Moga, Mr Jagwinderjit Singh Grewal Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Shubhi Angra Assistant Commissioner (G), Mr Harjinder Singh Rode Chairman Market Committee Moga, Mr Jaswinder Singh Brar Chief Agriculture Officer were also present in the function.
