Soil Health Management Workshop held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2026: A 1-day Awareness cum Training Programme on "Soil Health Management in Sunflower Cultivation for Optimizing Productivity and Oil Content in Manipur" was successfully conducted yesterday at Bhaskar Prabha Centre, Konjeng Leikai, Imphal.

The programme was jointly organised by the Directorate of Extension Education, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, and Manipur Seva Samiti, under the sponsorship of ICAR- Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad.

The workshop aimed to enhance awareness about soil health management, scientific soil sampling, proper soil testing, and improved cultivation practices to increase crop yield and oil content in sunflower cultivation across the State.

The resource persons for the programme included Prof Thokchom Robindro Singh, former Deputy Director, CAU; Laishram Jatra Singh and Dr Birendrajit Singh (Extension), CAU .

At the event, the experts emphasised the importance of soil testing prior to crop cultivation and highlighted scientific methods of soil collection and preparation as prescribed by CAU.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Birendrajit Singh said that continuous and improper cultivation without understanding soil health leads to long-term soil degradation.

He stressed that soil testing helps farmers identify nutrient deficiencies, assess crop suitability, and determine the correct quantity of agricultural inputs required.

"Soil testing is a crucial step in ensuring sustainable farming practices.

Soil testing should ideally be conducted once every three years to ensure sustainable farming practices", he added.

He also cautioned against the excessive use of chemical fertilisers, particularly urea, noting that overuse can increase nitrate levels in soil and water, potentially leading to health hazards such as blue baby syndrome.

"Maintaining soil health is crucial not only for crop productivity but also for water conservation and environmental balance", asserted Dr Birendrajit.

During the technical session, participants were briefed on proper soil sampling techniques, including collecting soil samples in a zig-zag pattern, avoiding field boundaries, collecting samples from multiple locations, drying and mixing the soil properly, and taking samples from a depth of 15-20 cm for accurate testing.

The programme concluded with an interactive discussion session, during which participants raised queries related to soil management and sustainable agricultural practices.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, students, and agricultural practitioners of Konjeng Leikai area.

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