Soil testing lab in every district soon: Minister Biswajit
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 05 2022:
Soil management being very important in agriculture, steps have been taken up to establish a soil testing laboratory in every district of the state, said agriculture minister Th Biswajit Singh.
Minister Biswajit disclosed about the laboratory plan during World Soil Day observance which was held under the theme 'Soil: Where food begins' at Farmers' Training Hall of the Directorate of Agriculture near Sanjenthong, here.
Attending as chief guest of the observance organised by the directorate on Monday, Th Biswajit said that farmers of the state are now experiencing the problem of soil degradation and accordingly it is important to create awareness among people about soil management.
Based on crops planted during both Rabi and Kharif seasons, there will be difference in soil composition and hence determination of nutrients is essential before planting a particular crop, he said.
According to Th Biswajit, food is the primary cause for increasing cases of diabetes and cancer in contemporary society while chemicals in eluding fertilizers and insecticides used for surplus food production are the root causes for different diseases in human beings.
To determine ingredients/components use of essential ingredients, the agriculture department has taken up steps to establish one each soil testing laboratory in every district.
To prevent damage of soil due to prolonged use of urea fertilizer, steps have been taken up to replace urea with Nano fertilizer but this would be possible only when there is general awareness on use of Nano fertilizer.
Apart from this, agricultural experts need to prove and showcase with example to farmers that Nano fertilizer is better than urea, Biswajit added.
Agriculture director N Gojendro, who also took part in the function, said that soil degradation and missing of ingredients in soil is a global phenomenon and this should not be taken lightly.
Amidst this situation, there is fear of facing food shortage in view of decreasing paddy fields in the state, he said and stressed the need for taking up steps to preserve soil.
The World Soil Day observance was also held at the central farm of College of Agriculture (COA), which is under Central Agricultural University, Imphal at Lamphelpat, here, on Monday.
The observance organised by COA was attended by its dean professor Indira Sarangthem, agronomy head professor L Nabachandra, horticulture head U Chaoba and extension education head professor Angad Prasad.
According to professor Indira, December 5 is observed as World Soil Day every year with the main objective of preserving soil from degradation owing to indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizer, insecticide and pesticide.
Every human should not forget that soil is the origin of food being consumed by every living being including humans and hence humans should treat soil dearly and lovingly, she said, adding that humans will remain healthy as long as they consume non-toxic crops.
She also pointed out that plants get 15 out of 18 nutrients required in growth.
On the other hand, All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro & Secondary Nutrients and Polluted Elements in Soil and Plants, CAU Imphal Centre observed World Soil Day at CAU central farm, here.
The College of Food Technology, CAU Imphal also observed World Soil Day on the same theme at the conference hall of the college on Monday.
Our Thoubal correspondent reported that World Soil Day was observed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Thoubal at its training hall on Monday with Oil Palm Mission Manipur consultant MS Khaidem as chief guest, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Thoubal district officer Mutum Nabachandra as president and KVK Thoubal senior scientist & head Dr S Zeshmarani as guest of honour.
As part of the observance, Soil Health Cards were distributed to 130 select farmers of Thoubal and Kakching districts.
World Soil Day was also observed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chandel at its conference hall with assistant chief conservator of forests, Chandel Naorem Munal Meitei as chief guest.
The main objective of the observance was to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil health awareness and encouraging the society to do their bit in improving soil health.
In his speech, N Munal stressed the need for the farmers of Chandel district to be sincere and serious in their approach towards environment and stated that soil not only provides us food and fuel but also maintains carbon balance in the ecosystem.
He advised the farmers to adopt agro-forestry set-ups and crop rotation to maintain soil health, otherwise soil may get degraded, damaged and deteriorated beyond repair.
In her speech at the observance function, KVK, Chandel head Dr A Ameeta Devi exhorted the farmers to undertake every possible step to ensure good, healthy and productive soil.
She encouraged the farmers to take up aggressive afforestation in the hills and to adopt all possible measures for preventing soil erosion.
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