Government representatives emphasises the value of the Soil Health Cards scheme, which provides farmers with vital information on the health of their land 

The government of Bihar has received international recognition for its initiatives in soil conservation, climate-resilient agriculture, agricultural road map and organic agriculture as the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) nears its conclusion in Dubai.

During the meeting, an important declaration was made on the introduction of Bihar’s fourth agriculture road map (2023–28), which President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate on October 18, 2023. “The fourth agriculture road map’s next five-year plan for maintaining soil health has been integrated with the lessons learned from various soil conservation initiatives,” stated Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, according to media reports.

He further underscored the significance of the Soil Health Cards (SHC) scheme, empowering farmers with essential information about their soil health.

“Since 2015, 1.46 crore SHCs have been distributed in Bihar,” he mentioned. The SHC scheme is a flagship programme of the Government of India, started in February 2015.

While talking about the measures used to assess the fertility and health of the soil, Agarwal underlined the availability of facilities for analysing soil samples all throughout Bihar. “Soil testing is a reliable, advantageous and ecologically friendly method for tracking nutrient concentrations and providing accurate fertiliser recommendations,” he added, according to media reports.

During the session, it was mentioned that CRA in Bihar was addressed, encompassing all 38 districts and 190 villages.  Agarwal stated that the state government is also endorsing improved cultivation practices like mulching, cover crop, crop rotation and micro-irrigation to enhance soil health.

In his concluding remarks,  Agarwal claimed that Bihar showcases a compelling narrative, serving as a beacon of hope for global efforts towards prioritising sustainable agriculture and soil health on the international agenda.He mentioned that Bihar exemplified how, through the combination of technological innovation, community engagement and education, a path towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future could be forged.

As the curtains come down on COP28 in Dubai on Tuesday, Bihar’s initiatives stand as a testament to the State’s commitment to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.