In a bid to help farmers increase soil productivity by appropriate use of fertilisers, Bank of Maharashtra has launched a soil and water health card which will help them ascertain the nutrient status of their farm lands.

“It will give farmers the level of nutrients available in their farm land so that they can administer correct dosage of fertilisers. This will help improve soil fertility and crop yield,” bank’s executive director RK Gupta told PTI.

The effort comes as lakhs of farmers in Maharashtra stare at a massive drought this year.

The state-focused lender is the only bank providing such facility and has already disbursed 500 cards in Bhigwan, Pune through Mahabank Agriculture Research and Rural Development Foundation.

The bank along with Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers is analysing soil samples at its Soil Testing Lab in Bhigwan.