ICAR-KVK, East Sikkim celebrated “World Soil Day”.
ICAR-KVK, East Sikkim, Ranipool celebrated “World Soil Day” with a view to highlight the importance of soil as the most critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to the human commonwealth through its contribution to food, water and energy security and as a mitigator of biodiversity loss and climate change. Supporting the healthy soils, integrated management of soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity enables sustainable agricultural production for the environment and farm profits. It is celebrated particularly for farmers charged with responsibility of generating and communicating soil knowledge for the common good. The program was held at ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok on 5th December, 2016 under Tribal Support Plan. 30 tribal farmers from different villages of East Sikkim attended the programme. Shri P.D. Rai, Hon’ble MP (Lok Sabha-Sikkim) was also aware of the activity on Soil Health Card distribution on the occasion of World Soil Health Day for the farming community of Sikkim. Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong briefed about healthy soil which is the foundation of the food system by improving soil health and reducing input costs for farmers. Healthy soil is crowded with microscopic and larger organisms that perform many vital functions including converting dead and decaying matter as well as minerals to plant nutrient, he briefed during his address. Furthermore, he stressed upon the soil organic carbon which needs to be increased that will affects the chemical and physical properties of the soil and its overall health. Therefore, it is essential to maintain soil fertility for sustainable organic farming through soil conservation technology, he added.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Programme Coordinator (I/c), KVK-East Sikkim welcomed the gathering. Highlighting the importance of soil health, he focused on better understanding of the linkages between soil life and ecosystem function and the impact of human interventions will enable the reduction of negative impact and the more effective capture of the benefits of soil biological activity for sustainable and productive agriculture. He also briefed about the importance of Soil Health Card for better management of organic resources to enhance their crops’ production and productivity.
Emphasis was also given on the measures to restore and rebuild soils which have been under cultivation for long time by Dr. Ashish Yadav, Sr. Scientist (Horticulture). He also said that key to soil restoration is to maximize the retention and recycling of organic matter and plant nutrients, and to minimize the losses of these soil components caused by leaching, runoff and erosion. Thus, the challenge is to identify soil management practices that promote soil organic matter formation and moisture retention and ensure productivity and profitability for farmers in the short term. Coordinating the program, Boniface Lepcha, SMS-Horticulture also referred to the modern improved cultivation technologies of Rabi vegetable crops to the farmers which help in conservation of agricultural resources in farmers field.
Dr. Matber Singh Scientist (Agronomy), Dr. J.K. Singh, SMS (Plant Breeding), Dr. N. J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection), Miss Pallabi Phukan, SMS (Agriculture Extension) and Mrs. Annushree Gogoi, Programme Assistant (Home Sc) were also present in the event and assisted in the smooth execution of the programme. Soil Health Cards were also distributed to the farmers of East Sikkim during the program. The farmers were exposed to the Research Farm of ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong to witness the modern cropping system with improved production technologies for Rabi season crops.
Issued by: ICAR-KVK, East Sikkim
