World Soil Day observed all over
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 05 2015 : The Depart-ment of Agriculture, Govern- ment of Manipur observed World Soil Day, 2015 at the conference hall of the Direc-torate of Agriculture, Sanjen- thong today.

Additional Chief Engineer, Command Area Development Authority (CADA), K Mano-ranjan Singh and Additional Director of Agriculture Ph Rajendra Singh graced the observation as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion K Manoranjan Singh said soil fertility has declined alarmingly nowadays and this is demanding application of more fertilizers and chemicals which has adversely effected human health.

Emphasising the need to increase awareness among farmers on the impact of che-micals on soil ecology and human health, Manoranjan rued that most farmers fail to follow the instructions of soil experts.

The Additional Chief Engineer, CADA, observed that farmers continue to use fertilizers and pesticides to boost their farm productivity against the instructions of soil experts.

This has in turn affected the collective health of the people.

The consumption of food items produced using fertilizers and pesticides is one of the major factors for the decrease in women's fertility, Manoranjan observed.

A farmer being felicitated at a World Soil Day observance

The demand for locally produced food crops outside the State has also declined due to its high chemical content, he added.

The global celebration of World Soil Day began in 2005, Additional Director of Agriculture Ph Rajendra said.

The nation-wide observation of the day is being held under a stringent instruction by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Long term consumption of food products with chemical content are known to give rise to various health issues.

A new soil test lab is coming up in February under the Department of Agriculture near District Agriculture Office, Porompat.

The Department also plans to set up a mobile soil testing lab to monitor soil ecology, Rajendra stated.

He further urged the farmers to join the Department in its endeavour to improve soil fertility.

Similar observances were also held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Imphal East, Andro and KVK, Imphal West, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat.

Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya; Imphal East ZP Adhyaksha P Bimola Devi; Andro Khullakpa Ch Gandhar and KVK, Imphal East co-ordinator Dr T Medhabati Devi graced the celebration at KVK, Imphal East as chief guest, guests of honour and president respectively.

Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, during his speech urged the farmers to adopt more scientific ways of farming with the assistance from agriculture related Departments, KVK and other experts to boost production.

Sikkim is the first State in India which has successfully adopted organic farming.

Dr T Meinya observed that Manipur can equally succeed if it adopts the organic form of farming.

KVK Programme Co-ordinator Dr T Medhabati said most farmers are unaware of the soil health testing facility available in the State.

By 2016-17 KVK, Imphal East would have necessary equipments to test soil health in the fields.

The College of Agriculture, Central Agriculture University also celebrated World Soil Health Day 2015 at Haorang Keirel yesterday.

Lairenkabi Kadangband ZP Nungleppam Boby, College of Agriculture and Central Agriculture University Dean JM Laishram attended the observation.

Soil heath cards were distributed to the farmers of different districts during the celebration.