Soil fertility has declined in the past decade – Dr Reddy

Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy says based on research by academics from the Ministry and the Koronivia Research Centre, soil fertility in Fiji has declined over the past decade.

While speaking at the launch of the National Soil Health Card in Muaniweni, Naitasiri, Dr Reddy says this must be acknowledged and steps must be taken to ensure that the next generation can have quality soil to utilize.

He says the National Soil Health Card will be a key factor of production for farmers and will allow them to better manage their farming systems.

The Minister for Agriculture says farmers will now be able better understand what crops will grow best on their farmland and also to ensure that the soil remains fertile.

This initiative informs farmers of what nutrients their farmland holds, what crops are best to be grown in that type of soil, what crop will be getting them the highest yield and how they can correct their soil conditions to bring their soil to optimum yield.

He says just as a human body needs regular check-ups, soil requires the same and this is what the National Soil Health Card keeps a record of.

Dr Reddy says they are starting small and as funds are made available for this initiative, they will be expanding it to other places as well.