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Preparation and Distribution of Soil Health Cards and Its Results Monitoring in Gazipur

Dr. Rafiqul Islam
SSO
SRDI, Dhaka.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The research work on use and monitoring of Soil Health Card was carried out in Gazipur, Dhaka. in 2008-09. Objective of study was to mitigate soil degradation and restoration of soil health for sustainable yield providing cropping pattern based fertilizer recommendation. 50 farmers were selected from 5 blocks to provide 50 soil health cards. Farmers who were interested and of easy communication and responded positively in applying soil test based fertilizer were considered. The farmers plot was at least 33 decimal. One plot for one farmer was selected for one health card. Health card was prepared containing physical, morphological and chemical characteristics of soils along with cropping pattern based fertilizer recommendation. Farmers applied fertilizers according to health cards and kept the records of fertilizers applied, yields and other management practices. Selected crop for result monitoring in Gazipur was boro paddy (Brri dhan -29). It was found that average yield was increased by about 6.8% following soil heath cards.

Keywords: Soil health card, Fertilizer recomendation, Crops/cropping pattern

Location: Gazipur

Start Date: 01-01-2008

End Date: 30-12-2009

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land management

Objectives:

i) To mitigate soil degradation and restoration of soil health for sustainable yield;

ii) To characterize soil morphological and physical properties;

iii) To provide cropping pattern based fertilizer recommendation

iv) To advice necessary soil management activities and provide technical assistance to the stakeholders.

Methodology:

i) The Responsible officer contacted with Upazila Agriculture officer and discussed the working plan. ii) 50 farmers were selected from 5 blocks under 5 SAAO to provide 50 soil health cards. iii) Criteria for farmer selection: a) Farmer who was interested and of easy communication. b) Those who responded positively in applying soil test based fertilizer considered. c) The farmers plot was at least 33 decimal. d) Plots having different land type and major soil group of that Upazila were considered. e) Preference was given to literate farmer f) One plot of one was selected for one health card. g) Disturbed land was avoided. iv) Before setting up the experiment, training was arranged covering importance of soil health card, soil sample collection, fertilizer recommendation and application of fertilizer on the basis of health card. v) The concerning SAAO and farmers under the guidance of the responsible officer collected composite soil samples from the selected plots. Then the air-dry soil samples were sent to the nearest SRDI laboratory for chemical analysis and fertilizer recommendation for each crop of the cropping pattern. vi) Chemical analysis of the soil samples were done for pH, organic matter and 6 nutrient elements (N.P. K. S. Zn & B) and fertilizer recommendation was made for each crop of the cropping pattern. vii) Health card was prepared containing physical, morphological and chemical characteristics of soils along with cropping pattern based fertilizer recommendation. viii) Farmer was applied fertilizers according to the recommendation mentioned in the card. Taking the help of SAAOs he kept the record of the crop variety, amount of fertilizer applied, yield and other management practices. ix) Relevant SRDI and DAE officer visited the plot time to time under health card program and gave necessary advice to farmers.

Source of Information: 1. SRDI 2010. Annual Report 2008-2009. 2. Dhaka District Office Records on Health Card Monitoring activities.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 50,000 (approx)

Total Budget (Tk.) : 50,000 (approx)

Achievement/Findings:

Selected crop for result monitoring in Gazipur was boro paddy (Brri dhan -29). The monitoring results are given bellow. Sl. no. Farmers name & address Crop Variety Yield (Ton/Ha) Change in % Farmers practice SHC basis 1 Mr. Billal Hossain Boro BRRI dhan-29 4.75 5.00 5.3 2 Mr. Kazimuddin Boro BRRI dhan -29 5.00 5.20 4.0 3 Mr. Mahiuddin Boro BRRI dhan-29 4.00 4.50 12.5 4 Mr. Nurul Islam Boro BRRI dhan -29 4.70 5.00 6.0 5 Mr. Kiamuddin Boro BRRI dhan-29 4.00 4.20 6.0. It was found that average yield was increased by about 6.8% following soil heath cards. From the results it is very clear that soil health card could be a very useful technology for increasing crop yields as well as maintaining soil health i.e., soil quality; and thereby attaining food sufficiency of the country. It is necessary to boost up the program for encompassing more area and number of farmers under its periphery.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings