Department of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Test Soil for Improved Quality

Kathmandu. The Department of Agriculture has urged farmers to conduct soil testing to improve soil quality. The department issued this call after finding low levels of organic matter in the soil. On average, 2.59 percent of organic matter has been found in the soil. Farmers have been advised to consult technicians at nearby offices to enhance soil quality.

In particular, soil in the Terai region has lower levels of organic matter compared to the mountains and hills. Last year, 36.9 percent of soil was found to have low organic matter, 46.7 percent had medium levels, and 16.4 percent had high levels.

Director General of the Department, Prakash Kumar Sanjel, stated that quality soil helps increase agricultural production, noting that approximately 37 percent of soil has low organic matter, 45 percent has medium levels, and 18 percent has high levels. 

Soil in eastern Nepal is more acidic compared to western Nepal. Last year, about 53 percent of soil was found to be acidic, about 33 percent neutral, and about 14 percent alkaline. The department reported that an average of 2.77 percent of organic matter was found in Nepal's soil last year. It is reported that approximately 1.7 millimeters of topsoil is lost annually in Nepal due to soil erosion.