Kathmandu, Dec 5: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Madan Prasad Pariyar, said time has come to enhance the quality of soil in urban areas as well. The soil in urban area is equally important to that of rural area for enhanced production, he reminded.
Minister Pariyar said it while addressing a programme organized by the Department of Agriculture on the occasion of the 12th World Soil Day on Friday. “In addition to being a major foundation for agricultural production, soil is integral to entire ecosystem. It needs protection with quality preservation,” he underlined.
According to him, most of the Nepali soil has become acidic due to commercial and intensive farming. Compared to the soil in western belt, the soil in the eastern side is acidic. It has direct bearing on reduction of productivity, he reminded.
The Minister also said sustainable agricultural practice makes ecosystem healthy and robust. Soil health is related to the health of other organisms, Pariyar added.
The Agriculture Minister explained the reasons behind declining health of soil as excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, unmanaged farming, overuse of plastic in urban area, and industrial and household effluents rife in city area. “Unchecked urbanization has resulted in sprawl of concrete and receding open space. Cityscape has witnessed fast depletion of vegetation either,” he mentioned.
Pariyar informed that soil map was being updated. It would benefit farmers with essential information like soil quality and nutrients. Balanced use of fertilizer can be promoted on the basis of the evaluation of soil quality.
Similarly, the Ministry is working on capacity building of farmers from technical lens and reform rules.#nepal #rss
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