ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, celebrated World Soil Day 2024 with the theme “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage”. Dr. P. Subramanian, Head of the Division, Crop Production while welcoming gave an awareness about the significance of soil day including importance of healthy soil and its productivity, improvement of soil, promotion of cultivation practices.

Dr. K. B Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI presided over the programme, highlighted the importance of soil health and its sustainable management in his opening remarks. The chief guest of the function, Dr. Anil Kumar K. S, Former Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBSS&LUP, Bangalore gave a thoughtful presentation on the geographical landscape of India, the area under cultivation, and water availability for agriculture. His words provided valuable insights to both farmers and students.

Farmers from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu participated in the programme and students of GVHSS, Mogral Puthur.

Dr. Anil Kumar handed over soil health cards to 12 farmers. A drawing competition on the theme of Soil Day was conducted for the students of KV 1 and the staff of CPCRI, and prizes were distributed to the winners of the competition.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. S. Neenu, Sr. Scientist, coordinator, ICAR-CPCRI.

ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam

An interactive workshop on the theme: “Caring for soils - measure, monitor and manage” was conducted at ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam as part of the World Soil Day celebrations on 05/12/2024 with eighty students of Govt. U.P. School Krishnapuram and the trainees of SCSP/ Apprentice programme. The programme aimed at creating awareness on caring the soil health in line with the measurement of its properties accurately followed by its monitoring and management for sustainable development.

The session was inaugurated by Dr. Regi Jacob Thomas, Head, ICAR CPCRI Regional Station Kayamkulam. In his address, he emphasized the vitality of soil on sustaining the ecological balance, preserving the natural biodiversity and enabling food security to feed the ever increasing population in the planet. Dr. A. Joseph Rajkumar, Principal Scientist and Mr. Feroz, Arabic Teacher, Govt. U.P. School Krishnapuram offered felicitations for the event. Dr. Jeena Mathew, Senior Scientist welcomed the gathering and Dr S. Indhuja, Scientist proposed the formal vote of thanks.

The inaugural session was followed by an interactive workshop with the students and trainees. The keynote address on the theme of the day was delivered by Dr. A. Abdul Haris, Principal Scientist. A thorough discourse was made on soil properties and soil health indicators which ignited the young minds for conserving the soil as a pristine entity. Management aspects such as precision farming, climate smart agriculture and fertigation techniques were covered in the lecture. An insight on the measurement of soil health indicators with accuracy and precision using various analytical techniques was given by Dr. Jeena Mathew. An interactive quiz was conducted for the students by Dr. K. Nihad, Senior Scientist. The programme was marked by the participation of students through their speeches on soil health management and poetry recitation by the selected students. A painting exhibition showcasing the young talents was also organized as part of the event. The winners in various activities were given coconut seedlings as prizes. The programme was concluded with the visit of the students and teachers to the analytical laboratory of the Soil Science section and got acquainted with the various instruments and lab wares.