Keeping in view the importance of both coir pith composting and geo-textiles, a National Seminar was organized by the Association of Coastal Agricultural Research, ICAR Research Complex for Goa at its premises on Saturday, the 17^th March, 2012. The Programme was organized in co-ordination with Coir-Board Regional Office, Bangalore. The Seminar was inaugurated by Shri. Pratapsingh Raoji Rane, the former Chief Minister and Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly. Shri. S. Shridhar, Executive Director, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association, Shri. R. Nagarajan, Regional Officer, Coir Board, Bangalore, Dr. K. Pradhan. Former Vice-Chancellor, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology and Shri. Mahesh Patil, Vice-President, Sesa Goa Ltd., graced the occasion.

            During the Inaugural programme, Dr. N.P.Singh, the Director of the Institute welcomed the chief guests and the  participants and highlighted the importance of coir waste and its composting as well as use of geo-textiles for soil and water conservation especially for mine reject dumps.

            Shri. R. Nagarajan, Regional Officer, Coir Board, Bangalore  stressed  on the theme of the Seminar  and its utility especially in Goa where geo-jute can make a change for stabilization of mine reject dumps.

            Shri. S.Shridhar, Executive Director, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association, in his address highlighted the role of mining companies in the use of geo-textiles to arrest the soil and water erosion especially in mine dumps.

            Earlier, Dr. E.B.Chakurkar, President of Association of Coastal Agricultural Research, ICAR Research Complex for Goa, underlined the role of the Association in organizing the Seminar.

            Dr. B.L.Manjunath, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) and Convener of the Programme, highlighted the beneficial impact of coir waste compost and proposed vote of thanks for the programme.

            During the technical session, Dr. Anitha Das Ravindranath, Scientific Officer, Central Coir Research Institute, Kalavoor, Alappuzha, Kerala  delivered lectures on utility of geo-jute as well as coir waste composting. Shri. R Nagarajan, Regional officer, Coir Board, Bangalore highlighted the role of coir and geo-jute and their utility for soil conservation.

            Shri. Jagadish Desai, presented the experiences of Sesa Goa using geo-jute for stabilization of mine reject dumps in Goa. Dr. R.R. Verma, Scientist (SWC), ICAR Research Complex in his lecture addressed the various means of soil and water conservation suitable to Goa.

            Dr. V.Arunachalam, Principal Scientist (Hortiulture), ICAR Research Complex presented a talk on use of coco peat as a horticultural substrate. Shri. H.R .Prabhu Desai, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy) of Krishi Vigyan Kendra narrated the experiences in composting of different types of organic wastes in Goa.

The technical sessions were followed by discussions on the field problems of the relevant topics. The Seminar was attended by about 150 delegates/ stake holders.