GOALPARA, Dec 6 - The�Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dudhnoi organised an event along with the rest of the world to celebrate the World�Soil Health Day at Jana Mandir�on Tuesday under�the theme �caring for the planet starts from the ground�.
Dr Hitu Choudhury, in-charge�programme coordinator in his welcome address traced�the history of the World Soil Health Day right from the adoption of the first resolution by the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) in 2002�to the declaration of the December 5 as the�World Soil Health Day�at the 68th annual general assembly in December 2013 which aims to connect�people with soils and to raise issues and awareness which are of�critical importance that influences our lives.
He also said that the day is celebrated to raise awareness about the role that soil�(being a critical component of the natural system)�plays especially in food security. Choudhury also informed that the Government of India has also taken a slew of initiatives�for soil health management and started celebrating the World Soil Health Day through KVKs�across the country.
Speaking on the occasion the chief guest Chief Executive Councillor, RHAC Tankeswar Rabha said about preserving soil fertility and explained the importance�of soil health cards for enhancement of productivity. He also urged all the farmers to reap maximum benefit from�the initiatives the�Government has taken for enhancing health of soil in the region.
The District Agriculture Officer (DAO) BN Hazarika spoke on how soil plays a critical role in ecosystem services and dwelt at length as to how to maintain soil health, soil nutrients, soil PH etc.
Principal scientist ICAR- NRC on Pig Dr MK Tamuly who presided over the meeting in his keynote speech�gave a detailed account on the role of soil for bio diversity conservation. He also gave an overview of�the contribution of soil to the delivery of ecosytem services with special focus on�climate regulation.
Among others ATMA Deputy Director MD Hussein, SMS (agronomy) Dr HC Kalita,� �SMS (Plant Protection) Dr Utpal Bhattacharjee also spoke on the occasion.
A total of 151 soil health cards were distributed among the farmers for the first time in the district. Two documentaries made by the Union Ministry of Agriculture were also screened on the occasion. The event was attended by more than 250 farmers besides 32 officials from various line departments.
Tezpur: As per the directive of Union Agriculture and Farmer�s Welfare�Ministry, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sonitpur celebrated the�World Soil Day at District Library, here on Tuesday with the aim of creating awareness among the farmers about the maintenance of soil health for better crop production.
The head of KVK, Sonitpur, Dr PC Deka welcomed the dignitaries and the farmers present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Dr MK Sarma, Professor from Directorate of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat highlighted some of the major issues related to soil degradation and amelioration of the same for restoring the soil health. Dr Ranen Barman, Associate Dean, BNCA elaborated the scientific soil management prevalent in ancient India. The District Agriculture Officer, Sonitpur KK Nath stressed the need of organic farming in maintaining the soil health.
The chief guest Ram Prasad Sarmah, MP Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency discussed about man-made pollution and its effect on soil and environment as a whole. He also suggested few indigenous methods which may be helpful for conserving the soil health.
More than 400 farmers and farm women attended the programme. A few farmers were provided with the Soil Health Card in the programme. The programme was conducted by Hengul Jyoti Saloi, Farm Manager and the programme came to an end with vote of thanks subsequently given by Arifa Mamtaj Begum, SMS, Home Science.
SILCHAR: In a bid to spread awareness about nutrient deficiencies in their fields due to imbalanced use of fertilisers and low addition of organic matter, Cachar district administration in association with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cachar and District Agriculture Department organised a function to distribute Soil Health Cards to as many as 10 beneficiaries on Tuesday.�
Speaking on the occasion, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Dr S Laxmanan said �this initiative is of massive significance to the farmers. The soil health cards will lessen the worries of the farmers regarding the soil productivity.�
On the other hand, Dr P Choudhury, chief scientist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra here informed that through the soil health cards, experts at the KVK suggest the farmer�s better fertilisers to suit soil conditions. �We detected micro and macro elements from three tiers of soil samples collected for research and grading and based on the laboratory tests, the farmers are offered suggestions on the soil temperature, conditions and productivity potential using the soil health cards,� Dr Choudhury said.
NALBARI: World Soil Day was celebrated at Nalbari Natya Mandir under the auspices of Nalbari Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) on Tuesday.
On the occasion, an awareness meeting was held with Nadira Zesmine, District Development Commissioner in the chair. In the welcome address Dr Mridul Deka, programme coordinator of the KVK, Nalbari said the treatment to the soil is very essential to get the desired production. He added that considering the issues of the soil health the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided to distribute soil health card to 35 crore farmers in the country. Dr Deka laid emphasis on the application of the proper nutrients to the soil.
Addressing the meeting, the MLA of Barkshetri LAC Narayan Deka called upon the farmers to carry out organic farming instead of using chemical and pesticides. He also felt that if the society is extended due respect to the farming community then the new generation will be encouraged to take agriculture as their profession. He stated that he has taken steps�to invite the farmers of his constituency and giving felicitation accordingly.
The meeting presided over by Nadira Zesmine, District Development Commissioner, Nalbari was addressed among others by AK Tripathy, Director of Agricultural Technology Application and Research Institute, Homeswar Kalita, DAO, Nalbari.
In the�meeting, a total of 500 soil health cards were distributed among the farmers of the district.
Mangaldai: With a view to create an awareness on soil health among the farming community of Darrang district, a daylong programme was organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Darrang of Assam Agricultural University as a part of�celebrating the�World Soil Day�under the theme��Caring for the planet starts from the ground��at the Sankardev Rangamancha, Dakchaki, near Mangaldai�on Tuesday.
The programme started with ceremonial lighting of lamp by all the dignitaries.�Dr Pabitra Kr Bordoloi, Head of KVK Darrang, addressed the gathering and summarised the objective and importance of the day in his welcome speech. The programme was graced by Guru Jyoti Das, MLA, Mangaldai as the chief guest and emphasised the significance of the day and stressed upon the need for awareness on soil health especially by the farming community and highlighted the importance of organic agriculture in present day context.
Dr Apurba Chakraborty, Director of Research (Veterinary), Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, apprised the house about the scope and importance of animal husbandry sector in integrated farming system and also the role of livestock in the uplift of the economy of the marginal farmers and supplying organic manures.
Addressing the function as the guest of honour�Ashok Kr Barman, Deputy Commissioner, Darrang appreciated the activities of KVK and requested the farmers for judicious application of agro-chemicals especially the pesticides and encourage organic cultivation. In�the technical session, Dr Diganta Goswami, Registrar, IASST, Guwahati, dwelt at length about the adverse effect of injudicious use of fertilisers and other agro chemicals and stressed upon the use of organic manures, bio-fertilizers as well as bio-pesticides in crop fields.�He also highlighted the importance of Soil Health Cards and the procedure for collection of soil samples.�The other dignitaries among others present�in the dais were�Nila Kanta Deka, DAO, Pradip Kr Deba Goswami, LDM, Dr Girish Saikia, Regional Artificial Insemination Officer and�Monimala Gogoi, DIPRO of Darrang.
The function also witness offering public�felicitation to two young progressive farmers of the district, namely Shobhan Deka of Gabhara village and�Habibur Rahman of Bihudia village for encouraging other youths to take scientific farming as means��the profitable earning.