ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur celebrated the ‘World Soil Day-2017’ on 5th December, 2017. The programme was organized to create awareness among farmers about restoring and preserving soil health. Around 100 participants attended the programme including 50 farmers from four villages adopted under Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav and Farmer First programmes., scientists, technical officers and others.

Dr. R. P. Dubey, Principal Scientist and Convener of the programme welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of world soil day in creating awareness for restoring and preserving the soil health. Dr. P.K. Singh, Director in his address expressed the need to maintain the balanced nutrition in soils and suggested the necessary measures including conservation agriculture to maintain the soil health. Dr. V. K. Choudhary, Scientist and co-convener delivered a lecture on managing the soil health through conservation agriculture practices. Dr. Shobha Sondhia, Sr. Scientist and co-convener presented a lecture on preserving the soil environment and ways to mitigate the harmful effects of pesticides from the soil.

On this occasion, the Director distributed soil health cards to about 20 farmers. A pamphlet highlighting the importance of soil health card and an appeal by the Hon’ble Prime Minister to reduce the consumption of urea to half of the present levels in 2022 by adopting balanced soil nutrition with fertilizers, micro-nutrients and organic manures. A film on world soil day and mobile app on soil health card was also shown to the participants.