DRL Unveils Soil Testing Centre To Boost Agri Productivity

Hyderabad: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and the Dr Reddy’s Foundation have jointly inaugurated the Soil Testing Resource Centre in city, aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and boosting productivity. The centre, sprawling across 14,750 sq. ft., will offer affordable, fast, and accurate soil testing services to farmers, agronomists, agricultural researchers, and institutions. It is designed to address the critical gap in soil health analysis in India, where only 5-20 per cent of cultivable land currently undergoes soil testing.

The new facility comes equipped with state-of-the-art instruments capable of analysing over 18 soil parameters, including primary, macro, and micronutrients, heavy metals, and organic matter content. These advanced technologies, such as the Thermo Gallery Plus Discrete Analyser and the ICP-OES 5800, enable precise chemical, biological, and physical testing of soil. With a capacity to process up to 200,000 soil samples annually, the center is set to provide crop-specific, cost-effective recommendations that can boost yields by 20-30 per cent, benefiting farmers and enhancing environmental sustainability.

India faces challenges in soil degradation, including erosion, overuse of chemical fertilisers, and poor land management, which negatively impact soil fertility and agricultural productivity. The Soil Testing Resource Centre aims to bridge this gap by providing accurate, actionable data that will help farmers make informed decisions about fertiliser use, crop selection, and soil management. By adopting Soil Test-Based Recommendations (STCR), farmers can optimise nutrient use, leading to increased farm income and improved soil health.

Suman S, Head of Climate Action and Rural Livelihoods initiatives at Dr Reddy’s Foundation, highlighted the centre's importance, emphasising its role in empowering communities and promoting sustainable development. "This initiative is a significant step toward bridging the gap in access to reliable soil data, benefiting various stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem. Our goal is to support farmers with the right tools to make precise, timely decisions that contribute to long-term agricultural productivity," she said.