Bhubaneswar: The state-level World Soil Day 2024 was celebrated at the Krushi Bhavan Auditorium in Bhubaneswar, on Thursday. This year’s theme, ‘Caring for Soil: Measure, Monitor Manage’, highlighted the importance of soil conservation.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo graced the event as the chief guest.
The relationship between Mother Earth, Soil, and Humanity has been deeply rooted, eternal, and timeless since ancient times. At present, climate change is a major global issue, and the monitoring, measurement, and proper management of soil health are critically important to maintain the soil’s health and productivity for generations to come. In this context, every year on December 5, World Soil Day is observed worldwide to remind us of our responsibility toward soil health.
On this occasion, Singh Deo stated that, nowadays people use more fertilizers and pesticides to increase production and earn more profits. However, this is gradually deteriorating soil health and productivity, and in the long-term consumption of these vegetables with chemical fertilizers and pesticides is causing various diseases in humans such as cancer. Therefore, it is essential to take care of both human health and soil health.
In this regard, he referred to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as an exemplary farmer and advised the use of organic manure and fertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
A book titled “Odishara Murtika Samasya Ebong Tara Parichalana” authored by distinguished agricultural scientists Dr Subodh Kumar Sahu and Dr Rabindra Kumar Nayak, was also released during the event.
Other distinguished guests included Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Director of Agriculture Prem Chandra Choudhary, and Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Nikil Pawan Kalyan. Experienced farmers, agricultural experts, scientists, and students from across Odisha were also present at the event.
The Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee emphasized the importance of balanced fertilizer application and organic farming for maintaining soil health. He also provided three key recommendations for soil health management: preventing soil erosion, avoiding the unnecessary use of fertilizers, and practising sustainable soil management.
Raimati Ghiuria, a pioneering millet farmer from Odisha, was conferred with a Doctorate degree by the President today, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to preserving traditional crops.
Director Agriculture Prem Chandra Choudhury delivered a welcome speech, presenting details regarding soil health management. Nikil Pawan Kalyan, Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation discussed the issues of soil degradation and its restoration in the state.
In the poster competition related to World Soil Day, winners such as Tikirani Das, Jagdish Majhi, and Shubashree Muduli were awarded. Similarly, the following individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to soil health: Sartuka Chandra Dehury from Angul, Shyamaghana Pradhan from Baragarh, Kishorikanta Rout from Jajpur, Nalini Patel from Jharsuguda, Brundaban Mallik from Kandhamal, Santosh Dharua from Sambalpur, and Amit Kumar Naik from Sundargarh.
Additionally, five farmers were given Soil Health Cards. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Joint Director of Agriculture, Basanta Kumar Dey.
