ICAR-CCARI Goa celebrated World Soil Day 2023

 

    On December 5^th, 2023, ICAR – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa celebrated World Soil Day in Chodan Village, Tiswadi Taluk, North Goa. The celebration aimed to raise awareness about soil health management and improvement, with a focus on the unique coastal ecosystem of Chodan Island. The island is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, making it an ideal location to showcase the importance of building resilience through scientific soil health assessment and management.

    The celebration was attended by 112 participants, including farmers, students, panch members, Zila Panchayat staff, officials of the Department of Agriculture, and press and media personnel. The technical session organized during the celebration covered topics such as soil health and its importance, and soil testing and its importance.

    Shri. Ravindra Kinalkar, Sarpanch, Madel-Chodan Panchayat, Tiswadi, Goa, Chief Guest, appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CCARI and KVK in collecting soil samples and providing soil health cards to farmers with necessary advisories. He ensured wholehearted support for future follow-up activities on technology transfer and soil health management. Dr. Anurag Raizada, Director In-Charge, ICAR-CCARI, talked about the history of World Soil Day and how it is celebrated worldwide. He urged participants to proactively participate in the campaign to make it a grand success. Dr. Gopal Ramdas Mahajan, Sr. Scientist (Soil Science), and Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Sr. Scientist cum Head, ICAR-KVK, North Goa, briefed the participants on the history of the World Soil Day 2023 celebration and the theme of ‘Soil and Water: A source of life’. They also explained how the campaign will be expanded in the future to undertake the transfer of technology programs for improving soil health and productivity on the island. Mr. Premanand, a progressive farmer and ex-Sarpanch, Madel-Chodan Panchayat, Tiswadi, Goa, stressed the importance of conservation and management for healthier soil through a participatory approach. The principal of Raghuvir and Premavati Higher Secondary School, Chodan, thanked the organizers for involving the students in the World Soil Day celebration and expressed that it sensitized students toward the role and importance of soils in our lives.  Also, the implementation plan of the future activities was discussed at length in a meeting between ICAR-CCARI and KVK officials, the Panchayat Officials and progressive farmers.

    The celebration was coordinated by Mr. Shashi Vishwakarma, STO (Soil Science), Dr. Gopal Ramdas Mahajan, Senior Scientist (Soil Science), and Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Sr. Scientist cum Head, ICAR-KVK, North Goa, under the guidance of Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa.