In pursuance of the Directives of the Union Government to celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence, and as per the ICAR order issued in this regard, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur organized Farmers Awareness Gosthi in virtual mode on the topic Proper management of Soil Health and Balanced Use of Fertilizers on dated 18 June, 2021. In his welcome address Dr. PK Singh, Principal Scientist and Co-Ordinator of the programme narrated about the present health conditions of Indian soils and urged the farmers to give immediate attention towards soil health improving management steps for sustaining farm productivity. On this occasion, a power point presentation in local language (Hindi) by Dr. Sekhar Singh Baghel, Senior Scientist (Soil Science) JNKVV, Jabalpur was arranged to educate the farmers about importance of soil testing for balanced fertilization, Soil Health Card Scheme, need of organic fertilizer application and crop residue recycling, etc. Besides these issues, Dr. Baghel also talked about the negative effects caused by in situ crop residue burning to soil and the environment, and urged the farmers to give this practice in the interest of our future generations.

Dr. KK Barman, Principal Scientist and Co-coordinator of the programme explained the 4R approach and asked the farmers to follow it for judicious use of fertilizers. Mr. Dibakar Roy, Scientist, narrated about the different kind of nitrogen fertilizers available in the market. Dr. Himanshu Mahawar, Scientist, mentioned about the importance of bio-fertilizers for long-term management of soil health.

The farmers showed great enthusiasm and interacted with the scientists in relation to their queries about fertilizer doses for rice and other crops. About 160 farmes from various districts of Madhya Pradesh viz. Jabalpur. Damoh, Sehore, Hosangabad, Rajgahr and Balaghat have participated in the programme. The programme ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. KK Barman.