Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan has mooted setting up a network of advanced soil testing laboratories in the country with an investment of Rs.2 billion to help farmers boost production.

"In our first report we have suggested the need for setting up advanced soil testing laboratories for helping in analysing the 13 micronutrients in the soil," said Swaminathan, who is heading the National Commission on Farmers.

Speaking on the sidelines of an international meet on soil and environment here Tuesday, Swaminathan said the commission had been given the task to give operational plans including introduction of food-for-work programmes in 150 districts where crop failure led to suicides by frustrated farmers.

The second report to be submitted by June would also analyse ways to double agriculture and horticulture production, particularly in areas dependent on monsoon.

"If the government accepts our suggestions we would be able to give farmers comprehensive advice based on soil testing on all 13 soil micro nutrients parameters. This one single intervention on soil micro nutrients will give the largest jump in the yield of 50-60 percent," said Swaminathan.

The expert group has estimated an investment requirement of Rs.2 billion for setting up around a dozen advanced soil-testing laboratories that would work in tandem with the existing agriculture institutes in the country.

Through timely intervention, Swaminathan is hopeful farmers would be able to improve the soil health and make it porous to absorb and retain more moisture and also bear better yield.

"Currently the agriculture sector, rightly described as a living industry, is not receiving enough attention as compared to the stock market. Evidence of this is that the land yield has remained stagnant or declined in case of many crops," he said.