ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, celebrated World Soil Day on 5^th December, 2023. Dr. P.R. Suresh (former Dean, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad) inaugurated the programme. Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod presided over the function.

Dr. Ramesha B., Professor & Head, Extension Training Centre, Vorkady, Manjeshwar, delivered felicitations. Dr. Suresh distributed soil health cards to the farmers. In his inaugural address, he emphasised the importance of soil and water for the future generation.

Dr. P. Subramanian, Head, Crop Production Division of CPCRI welcomed the gathering and briefed about the Soil Day event.

A technical session on the theme of the year 2023, ‘Soil and Water: A Source for Life’ was handled by Dr. P.R. Suresh, Dr. Ramesha B., Dr. Thamban, C., Principal Scientist, Dr. P. Subramanian, Head, Crop Production, Dr. Neenu, S., Sr Scientist, Soil Science and Dr. V. Selvamani, Sr. Scientist, Soil Science

About thirty farmers of Kasaragod district actively participated in the technical session. Students of KV -2 CPCRI, Kasaragod took part in poster competitions held as a part of World Soil Day 2023.

A workshop was also conducted at ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam on 5^th December 2023, as part of the celebrations. Dr. A. Abdul Haris, Principal Scientist delivered a lecture on the topic ‘Soil and water in synergy for sustainable plant health’. The lecture session was followed by a quiz for enriching the knowledge base of the farmers on aspects pertaining to soil and water relations in plant growth. Dr. Jeena Mathew, Senior Scientist interacted with farmers during the quiz programme covering various aspects of soil health and plant nutrition. The programme was attended by fifty farmers from the district.