At a time when Maharashtra’s farmers are grappling with soaring input costs and erratic weather patterns, a crucial government service lies dormant in the heart of Nagpur.
The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Nagpur, which once proudly offered soil testing services to farmers for just ₹30, has not been functioning for over a year. The reason? The officer-in-charge of the soil testing lab was transferred last year, and the post has yet to be filled. As a result, the laboratory—a vital service for guiding farmers on crop planning and fertilizer use—remains locked and inactive.
This disruption has caused significant inconvenience to farmers in and around Nagpur, many of whom depend on affordable and accessible soil testing for improving productivity and reducing input costs. In a state where thousands of farmers continue to struggle with debt, crop failure, and climate-induced stress, such a lapse in service delivery is deeply concerning.
“Earlier, farmers would get a full soil health report for just ₹30 right here in the yard,” said a local trader at the Kalamna Market. “Now they have to either skip the testing or go to private labs charging hundreds.”
The official website of APMC Nagpur (www.apmcnagpur.com) still lists the soil testing service under its facilities section, reflecting the intent—but not the current reality. The website boasts a wide range of services, including cold storage, grading-sorting facilities, e-trading, and dispute resolution, but the non-functional lab undermines the holistic support system envisioned for farmers.
As Maharashtra moves toward promoting scientific farming and digital agriculture, such gaps in service delivery raise critical questions about accountability and continuity. Farmers and local civil society groups are now urging the government to appoint a new officer and restore the lab immediately.
After all, for a marginal farmer trying to make the most out of a shrinking piece of land, a ₹30 soil test could mean the difference between profit and despair.
You can download the Soil Testing Manual here:
