EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS
· With support from ACC and the Adani Foundation, 13 women from Deori Majhgawan’s Shakti Peeth SHG have launched an on-the-spot soil testing initiative.
· They utilise a spectrometer-based soil testing device for affordable, chemical-free, onsite testing to help local farmers make informed decisions and improve crop yields.
· Testing eight soil parameters, the initiative boosts farm productivity and promotes organic farming.
ACC, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is driving a transformative initiative in Deori Majhgawan village, Kymore. ACC along with the Adani Foundation, has supported 13 women from the Shakti Peeth Self-Help Group (SHG) in establishing a rapid soil testing initiative, equipping farmers with on-the-spot chemical-free soil testing through the AgroNxt Bhu-Parikshak device.
Equipped with this advanced spectrometer-based soil testing device, the women SHG members visit any farmland, collect soil samples, and input them into it. The machine then tallies the soil components with its database across eight parameters and prints out the results instantaneously. This saves the farmers’ time and resources needed for visiting physical soil testing labs.
This initiative enables local farmers to make informed decisions regarding correctly matched manure and fertilisers to maintain optimum soil health, improve crop yields, and strengthen their livelihoods. What began as a community-led effort has evolved into a sustainable micro-enterprise, empowering women with economic independence while promoting organic and sustainable farming.
Competing against 12 SHGs across five states, Shakti Peeth SHG earned the prestigious Dr. Manibhai Desai Gaurav Puraskar Second Best SHG Award, along with a cash prize of Rs. 20,000. The group has reinvested the amount to expand their soil testing services, now covering eight critical parameters, ensuring more farmers benefit from scientific soil health management and improved agricultural sustainability.
ACC’s commitment to grassroots empowerment and sustainable development is underscored by such initiatives. By facilitating access to advanced soil testing and promoting eco-friendly farming, ACC is strengthening rural livelihoods and nurturing a resilient agricultural ecosystem.