KVK, North Goa and ICAR-CCARI, Goa organized a webinar on ‘Balanced use of Fertilizers and Vermicomposting’

ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa and ICAR – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, organized a webinar as a Farmers Awareness campaign on ‘Balanced use of Fertilizers and Vermicomposting’ on 18th June, 2021 through virtual mode following all the SOPs of the COVID-19. The programme was organized in commemoration of India's 75 years of Independence as Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav. Hon’ble Shri Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State, Ministry of AYUSH and Minister of State for Defence, Government of India graced the occasion as Chief Guest.  The average fertilizer NPK use of the State of Goa is 38 kg/ha which is considered as a suboptimal application. Poor crop growth and yield due to the multinutrient deficiency further aggravates due to the suboptimal use of fertilizer and this led to low productivity of most of the crops in the State. Thus, a programme was organized with an aim raise the awareness among the farmers about the balanced use of the fertilizers and how to do vermicomposting. Almost 75 participants comprising of farmers, scientist, staff of KVK and other stakeholders attended the programme. Participants from remote areas of Andaman and Nicobar Island also actively participated and interacted during the webinar. Dr. Monica Suresh Singh, SMS (Agricultural Extension), ICAR – KVK, North Goa, welcomed and elaborated about the background and importance to organize the programme.

Hon. Shri Shripad Naik, Chief Guest, in his address, referred to the Vedas for the scientific agricultural practices for the sustainable agricultural development. He also highlighted upon how soil health and human health are strongly interlinked which is also one of the important aspect of AYUSH.  He stressed upon the soil fertility related constraints of the State of Goa and need to correct it through scientific approaches. He urged the farmers to do soil testing and ensure a balanced use of fertilizers through soil test based fertilizer application. He complimented the efforts of the ICAR-CCARI and its contribution to agricultural development in the State of Goa.

Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR – CCARI, Goa welcomed the Chief Guest. In his welcome address, he signified the importance of balanced use of the chemical fertilizers to improve the agricultural production, productivity and farmers income. He highlighted upon the need to use the fertilizer sources of nutrients owing to the poor fertility of soils resulting in poor crop productivity. He presented the significant achievements of the Institute and its role in sustainable agricultural development of State of Goa to make it self-reliant. In the context of the programme, he highlighted the information technology tool developed by the Institute, ‘Fertilizer Calculator Goa’. It is a dedicate mobile application for the farmers of the State of Goa and adjoining coastal region to assist in decision making of smarter and balanced use of fertilizers. Further, he told about the research and development done by the Institute on developing the organic agricultural practices for different crops. The technical session covered ‘Vermicomposting’ by Shri Shashi Vishwakarama, Technical Officer (Soil Sciences), ICAR - KVK, North Goa, and ‘Balanced use of fertilizers’ by Dr. Gopal Mahajan, Scientist (Soil Science), ICAR – CCARI, Goa. Through the technical session a know-how of vermicomposting on different aspects and use of tools like fertilizer calculator app for balanced fertilizer use were covered. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Monica Suresh Singh, SMS (Agril. Extn.), ICAR – KVK, North Goa. Mr. H. R. C. Prabhu, Sr. Scientist and Head Incharge, ICAR - KVK, North Goa coordinated the overall programme.