Farmers sensitized on soil test-based balanced nutrient management for sustainable crop production at Goa

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa, under the aegis of ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, organized a Kisan Gosthi on “Soil Test-Based Balanced Nutrient Management for Sustainable Crop Production” on April 25, 2026, at ICAR–CCARI, Goa.The programme focused on creating awareness among farmers about the importance of soil test-based nutrient management for maintaining sustainable soil health and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. Experts emphasized that farmers should apply the right type and quantity of nutrients based on the actual nutrient status of the soil rather than following blanket fertilizer recommendations.

During the programme, experts explained that soil testing helps identify deficiencies or excesses of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and micronutrients, thereby enabling balanced fertilization. This helps prevent both under-application and excessive use of fertilizers, improves nutrient use efficiency, and reduces unnecessary input costs.They further highlighted that excessive and imbalanced fertilizer application often leads to soil degradation, nutrient mining, soil acidity, salinity, and a decline in organic matter content. Soil test-based nutrient management helps restore soil fertility by promoting the integrated use of organic manures, biofertilizers, green manuring, crop residues, and chemical fertilizers in the right proportion.The experts also noted that soil test-based nutrient management is a scientific, economical, and environmentally sustainable approach that ensures healthy soils, higher crop yields, better farm income, and long-term food security.

A total of 16 participants, including 11 men and 5 women, actively attended the programme, reflecting strong interest among the farming community in adopting scientific nutrient management practices.The programme was coordinated by Mr. Rahul Kumar, SMS (Agronomy), Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Senior Scientist and Head, and Dr. Sanjay Udharwar, SMS (Animal Science), ICAR–KVK, North Goa.