ICAR-RCER Patna Celebrates World Soil Day: Focus on Sustainable Soil Management
Patna : ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER), Patna, commemorated World Soil Day on 5th December, 2024 with a focus on “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage”. The event aimed to raise awareness about the critical role of soil and water health in promoting sustainable agri-food systems.
Approximately 70 participants, including farmers, students from the IARI Patna hub, and scientific staff from ICAR-RCER Patna, attended the event. The program emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy soil and eco-friendly management practices to ensure sustainable agriculture. During the event, soil health card reports of the farmers’ fields along with recommendations and improved chemical and organic fertilizers like Naro urea, Sagarika etc. were distributed to farmers of Dulhin Bazar village, in order to encourage practical steps toward sustainable farming practices.
Dr. Anup Das, Director of ICAR-RCER, emphasized the critical importance of soil health in achieving sustainable agriculture and ensuring food security. He stressed the need for regular soil quality assessment through testing and analysis to understand its condition and nutrient status and focussed on conservation agriculture, crop rotations etc. During the program, Dr. A.K. Singh, Director of Research at BAU, Sabour, encouraged farmers to adopt balanced fertilizer use. Additionally, Dr. Ashutosh Upadhyaya, Head of the Division of Land and Water Management, delivered a lecture, outlining various methods to maintain soil and water quality. Experts from various divisions shared valuable insights: Dr. A.K. Chaudhary discussed integrated nutrient management and balanced fertilization; Dr. Kamal Sarma highlighted the role of soil and water quality in fish farming; and Dr. Ujjwal Kumar emphasized climate-resilient soil health practices. The students and farmers also interacted with the experts on various aspects of soil and water management for sustainable farming. Interactive sessions allowed farmers and students to engage with scientists, addressing soil and water management challenges. The program was made successful by the efforts of Dr. Prem Kumar Sundaram, Dr. Kirti Saurabh, Dr. Pawan Jeet, Dr. Arti Kumari, Dr. Govind Makrana, Mr. Anil Kumar, Mr. Sanjay Rajput, Mr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Mr. Ravi Ranjan, Mr. Umesh Kumar Mishra and other staff members.
