Description
The Karnali Province has set its mission to transform its production system through agroecological production systems. It aims to establish the province as a hub of sustainable organic agriculture, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring food security. Promoting organic farming practices, the mission improves healthy soil, for long-term agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. However, Karnali province is highly vulnerable to soil erosion with an average soil loss of 9.85 tons/hectare/year and land degradation. Also, poor farmyard manure (FYM), and insufficient and improper fertilizer application including intensive cropping are declining soil fertility and productivity, especially in Nepal’s hilly and mountain regions. This has contributed to poor soil quality resulting in poor yields and production. Therefore, the study was conducted with the objectives i) to understand the status of major soil chemical properties (N, P, K, and pH) in the ecological model village of Surkhet and Dailekh, Nepal, and ii) to sensitize and aware farmers with soil test provisions and recommend soil health management practices based on a soil test campaign.
