‘World Soil Day’ observed in various districts of Nagaland

World Soil Day was commemorated on December 5 at Kohima with District Agriculture Office along with its officials, staff and farmers’ friends. The programme was chaired by deputy PD, ATMA, Rokoshuno Angela. 

According to DIPR report, DAO & PD, ATMA, Vizonyii Liezie in his keynote address briefed about the agricultural status of Kohima. Everything began with soil regardless of flora and fauna hence soil management and conservation was the key to soil productivity, he said.

The work done and on-going work by the office regarding Soil Health Cards was also highlighted by Liezie. Kethoneilhou Vimera, AO-II, DAO Kohima shared about the history of World Soil Day and importance of soil. 

Government of India launched the Soil Health Cards scheme in February 2015 under which Kohima district was also working, covering various villages reaching out to the farmers. The benefit of Soil Health Cards was shared and later Soil Health Cards were distributed by the DAO. 

TUENSANG: The day was observed under the theme, “healthy soil for the healthy life” at CKS hall Tuensang, organized by KVK Tuensang and participated by the Agri and allied departments of Tuensang, KVK staff, ECS staff and farmers of villages from with Tuensang District. SDO(C) Tuensang, Dr. Manazir J. Samoon was the chief guest on the occasion.

Dr. Manazir J  Samoom SDO (C) stressed on the importance of soil with reference to India and special focus on soils of Nagaland. He said Nagas were dominantly an agricultural state which needed good quality of soil for sustenance for which the farmers should change the mindset of old techniques of farming to produce more. He also called upon the Agri and allied department and NGOs collaborated to Agri sector to help find the market so that the production could be fully utilized.

Earlier, introductory note was given by Dr. Keviletsu Khate where he highlighted on the introduction of Soil Health Card to the villages which would be issued after examination of soil health. 

Thematic presentation was conducted by Tokiho Achumi SMS Agronomist where he lectured on the importance of the soil in human life which a proper explanation on a slide projector presentation. 

The programme manager, ECS Chongshen  also supplemented on the works in collaboration with KVK Tuensang and its story of success in the field of agriculture within Tuensang. 

The chief guest also inaugurated the Soil Health Cards and distributed to the farmers. The programme was chaired by Sarendi Walling while the vote of thanks was given by Yanger Kichu.

MON: In Mon a one-day programme was conducted at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Aboi, Mon office premises with SDO (C), Angjangyang, Mon, Chubatemjen as the chief guest in a programme chaired by KVK Mon programme co-ordinator, Dr. Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu. 

Chief guest emphasized on sustainable food production system and implementation of resilient agriculture practices that would progressively improve land and soil quality. 

Audio-visual aids were utilized by Dr. Paihem Michui, SMS (Vety. & A.H) highlighting about the fallow management in jhum and lowland paddy field, crops grown on Rabi season.  Earlier, welcome address by Martha Chakruno, subject matter specialist (Plant Protection). The highlights of the programme was delivered by Dr. M.S Sachan, SMS (GPB).

Altogether 107 participants from the nine neighbouring villages involving village council, civil societies and farming community attended the programme. 

MOLVOM: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dimapur, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema organized agriculture education day on December 3 and World Soil Health Day cum pre-rabi campaign on December 5 at Molvom village, Dimapur district. 

Agriculture education day was celebrated with active participation of the students from the village wherein drawing and painting competition for the children on the theme “Pineapple field in your village”, followed by Extempore speech for the farmers of the village on the topic dairy, piggery and poultry farming, importance of fruits and vegetables etc. Prizes were distributed to the top three contestants for each of the events. A total of 57 participants attended the day long programme out of which 27 participants took part in the different events.

To commemorate the World Soil Health Day cum pre- rabi campaign, a day long programme was also organized at Molvom village wherein awareness on Ssil health management, soil health cards and its importance in agriculture, practical trainings on soil sample collection for their analysis, importance of horticultural and agricultural crops and their organic cultivation, film shows on vermicomposting, poultry and rabbitary, and other activities of the KVK were shown to the farmers. A total of 106 participants attended and a total of 200 nos. of Soil Health Cards were distributed among the farmers.

Soil & Water Conservation Deptt: Department of Soil and Water Conservation celebrated the day at the directorate of Soil and Water Conservation conference hall with commissioner and secretary, T. Nungsang Ao as the chief guest.

The programme had special invitees from the department of Soil and Water Conservation, Govt. of Kerela. Deputy director, government of Kerela, Samad shared about World Soil Day celebrations in Kerela which was celebrated with much enthusiasm and participation from all the stakeholders in Kerela each year.

Director ImkongnekenAo, spoke about the importance of World Soil Day, the importance of symbiotic relationship between soils and pulses which was an important factor for sustainable agriculture and its overall production. 

The programme was chaired by joint director, Imtiyondang Ao, welcome address was delivered by joint director E. James Lotha and vote of thanks by deputy director, Dr. Kiyasetuo Vizo.

PHEK: KVK Phek, ICAR-NRC on Mithun celebrated World Soil Day and pre-rabi campaign programme on December 5 in Kami village with 9th Assam Rifles, Pfutsero Capt Anand Thakur as chief guest.

Capt. Thakur, addressed the farmers about the linkage between the KVK scientist and farmers regarding transfer of technology. He acknowledged the KVK team for creating awareness about the soil health among the farming community. Importance on soil health was delivered by ACTO (Soil Science) Dr. T Esther Longkumer, where she emphasized on soil health management and importance of soil health card. 

SMS (Agronomy) Dr. Hannah K Asangla, spoke on pre rabi campaign programme where she elaborated about the rabi crops and emphasized the importance of water conservation technology for production of rabi crops in the region.

Earlier the programme was chaired programme co-ordinator Dr. R.K.Singh invocation by pastor, Baptist Church, Kami village Weprekha, vote of thanks by ACTO (Horticulture) Dr. Rinku Bharali and benediction by women pator Wetsolou.