The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) in collaboration with Soilsens last week unveiled a cutting-edge Portable Soil Testing Rapid Kit in an interactive session.
The event, which drew a large crowd of local farmers and GRDB staff, showcased the new technology designed to revolutionize soil management and crop productivity.
The portable Soilsens Soil Testing Rapid Kit costs local farmers $400,000 and promises to deliver precise soil health analysis in just minutes, providing vital information on nutrient levels, pH balance, and moisture content. This innovation aims to empower farmers with immediate data, allowing for more informed decision-making and optimized crop yields.
CEO and Owner of Soilsens Dr Rahul Patkar built the portable device that helps farmers check soil health in less than an hour. Patkar presented a virtual orientation of the device and testing kit while GRDB staff led the physical demonstration, explaining the kit’s functionality and benefits. “Our mission is to make soil testing accessible and efficient for every farmer,” Dr Parkar said. “Traditional soil testing can be time-consuming and costly, but with our rapid kit, farmers can get real-time results right in the field. This will enable them to take swift actions to improve soil conditions and enhance crop production.”
The interactive session included hands-on demonstrations where farmers were guided through the process of using the kit. Participants were able to test soil samples provided by GRDB and though the demonstrators experienced technical difficulties, the farmers agreed that they would be interested in exploring this kit. The kit’s user-friendly design and rapid results impressed many attendees, who expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact on their farming practices.
The introduction of the Soilsens Soil Testing Rapid Kit aligns with GRDB’s ongoing efforts to support rice farmers in improving crop yields and sustainability. Soils agronomist at GRDB Dr Payman highlighted the importance of such innovations for the agricultural sector “With this being a rapid testing kit, it (enables) a shorter turnaround period for the tests as if the soil samples needed to go to the lab, it would have taken a month. Now, they could get the results in two hours maximum. Also, the availability of soil testing options is minimal in Guyana, this kit option is affordable, and the technology is simple, we believe any of the farmers even without secondary education can learn to use it,” he said.
The event also featured discussions on best practices for soil management and the role of technology in agriculture.
