Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd and Dr Reddy’s Foundation have opened a soil testing resource centre in Hyderabad. The 14,750-sqft facility will provide fast, accurate, and affordable soil testing services to a diverse range of beneficiaries, including farmers, agronomists, agricultural researchers, and institutions.
“The idea is to promote sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing productivity,” a senior Dr Reddy’s executive said in a statement on Friday.
Empowers stakeholders
“Only 5-20 per cent of the country’s cultivable land undergoes soil testing. The new centre addresses this gap with crop-specific, cost-effective recommendations, boosting yields by 20-30 per cent. The facility houses advanced instruments and systems, ensuring accurate analysis of over 18 parameters. It can process up to two lakh samples annually,” he said.
Degradation of land is one of the major challenges to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in the country. Factors such as soil erosion, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and poor land management have led to declining soil fertility.
“Accurate soil testing plays a critical role in addressing these challenges by helping assess the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil. This data empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions on how to use fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs. This would, in turn, improve yields, reduce costs, and enhance environmental outcomes,” he said.
