Lalitpur, January 8:

A national workshop on sustainable soil management concluded here today, stressing the need to minimise the use of chemical fertilisers in fields. The Sustainable Soil Management Project (SSMP) had organised the two-day workshop.

Addressing the inaugural session of the workshop yesterday, the secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) Ganesh Kumar KC said the programmes launched by the SSMP had helped uplift the living condition of Nepali farmers.

He said the ministry was planning to replicate the success of the programmes. He asked the Swiss government to give continuity to the project.

Senior programme officer of the SSMP Bishnu Dhital said the farmers of the areas, where the programmes have been launched, have reduced the use of chemical fertilisers by some 25 per cent. Instead of chemical fertilisers, they have been using urine of cattle in their fields, which has enhanced soil fertility.

The workshop was organised to discuss achievements of sustainable soil management programmes launched in 12 districts. Some 180 people, including farmers and representatives of NGOs, took part in the workshop.