World Soil Day observed across State

Joining the rest of the world, Nagaland observed World Soil Day Saturday by organizing different programmes across the State. In Dimapur, KVK Dimapur observed World Soil Day at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Jharnapani with MP (Lok Sabha) Neiphiu Rio and Zhaleo Rio MLA and Dr. A. Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC-Mithun as chief guest, guest of honour and special guest respectively. Addressing the gathering, Rio said that soil has been neglected for too long, and have become a nearly forgotten resource, as people have failed to connect soil with food, water, climate, biodiversity and life.  He said if people continue to abuse land, there would be tremendous shortage of arable land in near future. Looking into the future consequences, the UN General Assembly declared December 5 as World Soil Day, Rio added.
Rio said that observation of World Soil Day should be a starting point for humanity to be conscious about the use of soil saying “the very life existence starts with the soil and ends with the soil”. While calling for proper soil management, Rio urged the farmers to use modern technology to increase production without abusing land. Also emphasizing on organic farming, he said that the state have huge potential.  Rio therefore, called upon ICAR and Krishi Vigyan Kendra to co-ordinate with the state government to promote organic farming among the farmers.
Also speaking at the occasion, Zhaleo Rio appealed the farmers to adopt the technologies from Research Institutes in order to maintain the soil health and requested the ICAR to train the farmers about soil health and restoration of soil fertility.   Dr Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun asked the farmers to understand the importance of Soil as Soil is integral part of sustaining our life on earth.
250 farmers from four villages of Dimapur district were also given soil health card.  Earlier, Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, joint director encouraged the farmers to apply organic manures as well as fertilizers to sustain the crop productivity based on the recommendation made in the soil health card. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Anamika Sharma, Programme Coordinator, KVK Dimapur. (Staff Reporter)
KOHIMA: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kohima observed World Soil Day at its conference hall with Vikwheno MeratsÜ, Additional Deputy Commisioner (ADC) Tseminyu as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, ADC emphasized that agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the people.
The result of low productivity is hampering the growth of cultivation which needs to be reviewed by adopting sense of scientific temperament within the farming community, she said. The chief guest also stressed that land is a potential asset for agriculture production and farmers need to take full advantage. The programme was chaired by Michael Pienyu, SMS (Plant protection) and the keynote address was delivered by Dr. V. Akashe Zhimomi, programme coordinator and the significance of soil health was presented by Zhiete SMS (soil conservation).  Altogether 60 farmers representing different villages took part in the programme. 250 farmers were given soil health card.
In another programme, World Soil Day, was observed at the Directorate of Agriculture Kohima with the slogan “Health Soil Green Field”. The programme was chaired by deputy director of agriculture, Dr. Bendangyanger followed by keynote address by joint director agriculture, N. Thungjamo Lotha and a speech by Director Agriculture, Bendangyanger. In his speech, Director Agriculture stressed on soil being the most complicated biological materials on the planet and for the survival of mankind it is the duty of every individual to contribute in preserving and conserving soil.
In his keynote address, deputy director of agriculture, Dr. Bendangyanger spoke on the six key messages identified for dissemination in the international Soils Health Day, soil health management and soil health card, plant nutrients and their functions, role of essential plant nutrients, functions of essential nutrients, organisms in the soil, maintaining quality of soil resources, soil testing, fertilizer and soil health recommendation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Bendangyanger.
PHEK: Soil Health Day was also observed at Sakraba village town hall, Phek with Vezokho Chotso, member, Nagaland Khadi and Village Industries as chief guest.  While stressing on the traditional ways of preserving soil, the chief guest said that the method is not applicable anymore due to increasing population.  T Esther Longkumer, ACTO – Soil Science, spoke on the importance of soil health card and its benefit. Soil health card was distributed to 250 farmers from Porba, Sakraba and Gidemi villages.
AKULUTO TOWN: Nagaland University Krishi Vigyan Kendra also observed World Soil Day at Akuluto town.  Sr. Scientist and head Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia spoke on the need of celebration of world soil day and pledge to the farming community to protect soil. SDO Civil Kikumsungla, while lauding the work of KVK, called upon the farmers to be more concerned with the soil fertility. She urged farmers to work together hand in hand with KVK to improve their productivity and get their soil tested at regular interval.  Feedback on behalf of farmers was delivered by Kakuto (Liita New village) and farmers scientist interaction programme was also organised.  A total of 55 farmers attended the programme and a total of 250 soil health card were distributed. Earlier, the welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Kundan Kumar (SMS Agril. Ext) while the vote of thanks was proposed by Narola Anichari.
LONGLENG: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Longleng organized International Soil Health Day at the KVK office premises, where deputy commissioner of Longleng, Y Denngan Avennoho Phom as chief guest distributed soil health cards to the farmers for the respective soil of farmers’ field.  The aims and objectives of the programme were explained by the chairman (Soil & water Conservation Engineering) Dr. P. Chowdhury, SMS.  Altogether 56 farmers and rural youths from Hukphang, Lingtak, Pongching, Pongo, Sakshi, Bhumnyu, Dungkhao, Orangkong, Yimchong, Oushuk, Muli ward, Longleng town attended the gala occasion.   Dennagan Avennoho, in his inaugural speech lauded the KVK, Longleng and requested the farmers to cooperate with KVK for their day to day research and extension activities. He expressed that due to application of salt into soil, earth was deteriorating day by day and advised the farmers not to apply salt for weeding purposes.   Welcome address was delivered by the programme coordinator of KVK Longleng, Dr. K. L. Meena. Dr. Manoj Kumar, SMS (Agronomy) delivered the overview of the soil health day programme. The vote of thanks was tendered by Dr. Patu Khate Zeling, SMS (Plant breeding).
MOKOKCHUNG: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Mokokchung observed World Soil Day on December 5 at KVK conference hall, Yisemyong.  The programme was chaired by Dr. Rongsensusang, SMS (Animal Science), who welcomed the participants and encouraged them to take responsibility in bringing about a change in farming through proper management of soil. 
The main theme of the programme was delivered by Renbomo , SMS (Horticulture) where he enlightened the participants that soils constituted the foundation of vegetation and agriculture. The programme was followed by distribution of soil health cards to the participants. Altogether 250 numbers of soil health cards were distributed; vote of thanks was pronounced by Ruyosu Nakro, SMS (Extension).