Floods bring precious soil to fields, farmers hope for bumper crop

Floods bring precious soil to fields, farmers hope for bumper crop

Pathanamthitta: Despite the destruction unleashed by the August deluge in the district, farmers in Pathanamthitta district hope to reap a bumper harvest next season as the mud deposited by the floods will turn their farmland fertile.

The reason for their optimism is the information passed on by the agriculture department officials.

The department is now spreading awareness among farmers to make them utilize the soil for agriculture. It is, in fact, a golden opportunity as this organic soil is formed after a long period of time, say the officials. According to the department, farmers should take steps to preserve this soil and make use of it.

This mud increases the biotic components of the soil as well as retains the moisture content. Moreover, the presence of organic component ensures that the elements required for the healthy growth of plants are readily available.

The agriculture department has appealed to farmers to use this soil to fill grow-bags and plant vegetable seeds. Necessary instructions have also been given in this regard to the three farms in the district – the Sugarcane Seed Farm at Pandalam and the Seed Farms at Adoor and Pullad, said principal agricultural officer M Preetha. Similar orders will be given to the Agro Service Centres at Vechoochira, Ranni and Konni.

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