Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) in partnership with USAID’s Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) project of CIMMYT launched a web portal of digital soil map in Nepal. The web portal is prepared to provide information on the soil fertility status of any cultivable area across the country. Basically the digital map will show the acidity, organic matter, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, micronutrient (Zinc and Boron) content of the soil. In this regards, the digital soil mapping will be very useful to the farmers. The web portal can be accessed through https://soil.narc.gov.np
The launching of Digital Soil Map (DSM) of Nepal was done on 24th February 2021 (12 Falgun, 2077) at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu by Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli. The launching program was attended by the delegates and representatives from National Planning Commsiison, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development , Nepal Agricultural Research council, Agricultural Universities & different media. Addressing the launching program, Honourable PM KP Sharma Oli said “Digital Soil Map will be a milestone for making Digital Nepal”. He further added that Nepal is a first country in the South Asia to launch the program. Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma KumariAryal told that DSM will be very much helpful to farmers to know the fertility status of their land with the use of the computers at anytime from anywhere.
Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Yogendra Kumar Karki welcomed the participants and elaborate the program objectives. Secretary said “DSM will also be available in Mobile App to extend its services in all provinces”. Executive Director of NARC Dr. Deepak Bhandari gave a speech about the implementation of Digital Soil Map and its sustainability. Executive Director said “The service of DSM will be extended from all the stations of NARC to support the farmers to increase the production and productivity”. He further added that strengthening of agricultural research is of utmost need for the development of Agriculture. Mission Director of USAID Nepal, Ms Sepideh Keyvanshad gave her remarks through the video and thanked the whole country for this achievement. The next secretary of the ministry Dr.Pem Narayan Kandel expressed the vote of thanks to all the participants.
