New Soil Testing Solution Saves Farmers

NEW YORK CITY, New York — Soil testing is an innovative strategy to provide an accurate idea of the nutrient status and pH of the soil being used to farm. It is a very successful method to maximize plant health and productivity without potentially polluting the environment with an overabundance of nutrients.

Soil fertility varies by growing season. There are additional fluctuations based on fertilizers, compost, leaching, sulfur and various other factors. Due to all of these inconsistencies, conducting a soil test can be quite useful as it can inform one of the current fertility status of their plants and or garden.

Steps required for a standard soil test:

Because of India’s rain-induced climate, soil testing is recommended to be done annually. The standard test that is recommended includes a test of pH, phosphorus, potassium, magnetism, calcium and other nutrients. Once collected, these samples are to be taken or mailed to the lab center. The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture Government of India states that they allow each state of India to enable a central lab where the soil can be tested. This poses a problem for soil testing in India.

While a lab in each state may seem like an abundance of labs, there are approximately 14 crore, or 140 million, farmers in India. As of this year, the number of labs expanded to 3,000, but still, compared to the 140 million farmers that need soil testing, it is not enough to yield timely results. On top of the limited space in the labs for all of these samples, the lab center takes 15 days to send the results back to the farmers. This is valuable time that the farmers cannot waste. Due to the 15-day wait, many farmers ultimately end up using fertilizer without knowing the condition of their soil.

Soil testing in India currently faces logistical challenges. However, as of this year, a new solution could save farmers nationwide. Dr. Rajul Patkar and Dr. Mukul Singh, the scientists leading Proximal Soilsens Technologies, created NutriSens, “a soil health testing device that tests the soil for six parameters and gives results in a matter of minutes.” NutriSens is a paper-based sensor strip that claims to be as easy to use as taking one’s blood sugar levels at home.

Dr. Patkar, one of the masterminds behind this innovation, describes the process of using NutriSens. Similar to the traditional method, one collects a sample — in this case, one gram —of soil. The following steps, however, are to then place an agent solution in a vile with the sample and shake it. After leaving the mixture alone for an hour, one is to place a drop of the mixture onto the sensor of NutriSens. After this, the test takes only five minutes to yield results, shown on a health card that can be downloaded onto mobile phones that very minute.

Since NutriSens is faster than traditional methods of soil testing, farmers can produce more crops, thus generating more income and resources for their families. Additionally, farmers can avoid polluting the environment with extra nutrients and fertilizer as they instantly know the exact amount they need for their crops. Furthermore, as the health card is downloadable, farmers are able to share the information and avoid miscommunication.

The scientists have already sold over 2,000 sensors in cities across India. NutriSens may become the next start-up to save farmers.

– Samsara ShrivastavaPhoto: Flickr