CM launches ‘Lab on Wheels’ for farmers

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has launched the “Lab on Wheels” project, aimed at providing farmers with on-site scientific testing of soil and water samples as part of the province’s drive towards digital agriculture. Under the initiative, a farmer will be able to summon a mobile laboratory with a single call. Field teams will collect soil and water samples directly from the farm and carry out scientific analysis on the spot. Test reports will be issued immediately, along with expert guidance. The chief minister said that accurate soil assessment and the balanced use of fertilisers were essential to making Punjab agriculturally self-sufficient. She said agriculture in the province had been shifted from conventional practices to a scientific and digital model, with the objective of reducing production costs and increasing per-acre farm income. The mobile laboratories will measure soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) at the site, besides analysing key nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). Test results will be uploaded instantly through a mobile application, enabling immediate issuance of scientific reports. According to a briefing, each report will include recommendations on suitable crops and fertiliser requirements based on the condition of the land. A digital copy of the report will be sent directly to farmers through SMS and WhatsApp, allowing them to access their soil and water analysis on their mobile phones with a single click. Agricultural experts will also provide face-to-face advisory services at the farm. Officials informed the chief minister that a central control room had been activated to ensure transparency and strict monitoring of the project. All mobile laboratories will be tracked in real time through GPS, while live camera streaming and dashboard monitoring systems have been introduced to assess the performance of field teams. The briefing said that farmers’ requests would be registered immediately, and mobile laboratory visits would be scheduled following approval by the district laboratory in-charge. A mobile application would also ensure on-site attendance registration of field teams. Farmers will receive technical guidance at their doorstep on improving soil health and crop management. Officials said that balanced use of fertilisers would improve soil quality while reducing production costs. The briefing further stated that a digital GPS-based soil map of Punjab would be developed through real-time cloud data storage. The project has set an annual target of collecting 20, 000 soil samples, organising 500 farmers’ field days and providing training to 15, 000 farmers each year. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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