Wastepaper being used 'to enhance soil properties'

Wastepaper is being used in the Indian state of Orissa to enhance the nutritional quality of soil in the region, it has been reported.

Used paper is being collected from mills and mixed with soil, a measure that helps reduce acid levels, explained Arabindo Padhee, director of agriculture and food production for the state.

"The sludge was being collected from different paper mills across the state free of cost and distributed among the farmers at a nominal charge towards transportation and packaging," the Statesman quotes him as saying.

Mr Padhee highlighted that the project began two years ago to try and tackle the problem of acid-heavy soil and was instigated by the president of the Western Orissa Development Council.

Since the operation began, crop growth has increased from 18 to 52 across Orissam he added.

In related news, the UK Soil Association claimed that reducing the use of pesticides in the country will not result in a reduced yield of carrots, reported Freshinfo.com.