23rd April 2024, Bhopal ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal organized a National Campaign on Soil Health Management and Composting under the Central govt’s mission Life (Lifestyle for Environment) today. The institute has developed various composting technologies like vermicompost, enriched composts, Excel decomposer, family net vessel composting, and rapo-decomposter for converting agro-waste to valuable composts. ICAR-IISS has also developed several microbial biofertilizers for minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture. A minilab named ‘Mridaparikshak’ has been developed by the institute for assessing soil quality which contributed to the national soil health mission. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about soil health management and composting, enhancing agriculture, and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change.
The Chief Guest, Dr. S.K Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management) emphasized that the mission Life aims to protect the environment by educating people about lifestyle changes to combat climate change. He accentuated the need for balanced fertilizer use, integrated nutrient management, and organic fertilizers like composts to improve soil health. Shri. Chaudhari also urged the farmers to stop crop residue burning, as it causes air pollution and reduces soil biodiversity. Crop residues should be converted into compost, which is a rich source of organic matter and nutrients, crucial for maintaining soil health and crop productivity.
Dr. S.P. Datta, Director, ICAR-IISS highlighted that the state of soil health is declining alarmingly and posing serious threats to agriculture and the environment. Soil health can be improved by judicial use of inorganic fertilizers, crop rotations, and conservation agricultural practices.
Dr. S. R. Mohanty, Head, Soil Biology Division, ICAR-IISS, briefed about the significance of the program and elaborated on activities undertaken to make it a nationwide campaign.
Experts delivered lectures on biofertilizers’ role in agriculture, natural farming practices, and conservation strategies for sustainability. School students participated in Life mission competitions, and farmers learned advanced composting techniques from a composting facility. The farmers also visited a composting facility to learn advanced techniques for preparing compost from agro waste. Vermicompost and Excel decomposer packets developed by the institute were distributed to farmers for agricultural use.
Scientists and staff from different ICAR institutes, state agricultural universities, and representatives from state governments, farmers, and school students participated in the programme.
A total of 1000 participants attended the campaign through online and offline modes.
(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal)
Read more: https://icar.org.in/national-campaign-soil-health-management-under-mission-life
