Work should be done on increasing the population of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Only if the soil remains healthy, humans, animals, birds, insects, anyone will be able to get nutritious food.

The above views were expressed by Dr. SC Dubey, Vice Chancellor of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) on Thursday while addressing the World Soil Day organized by the Ranchi Chapter of the Indian Society of Soil Science at BAU. He said that more than 95 per cent of the world's organisms get food from the soil, so scientists, policy regulators, researchers, bureaucrats, students, farmers and the general society will have to work together to protect and promote the health of the soil.

Dubey also said that nutrients and water are obtained from the ground and soil also contributes to purifying the environment. "It takes more than 1000 years for the top two-three inches of soil to form, so if this soil is destroyed due to human activities, we will have to repent for centuries, we will be proved guilty for the coming generations," he added.

The Vice Chancellor said that the use of organic and bacterial fertilizers in crop production will have to be increased so that the population of microorganisms in the soil increases because they increase productivity and decompose any material including plastic. "The whole world is focusing its research on saving and increasing the beneficial microorganisms living in countless numbers in the soil which are not visible to the eyes. Soil testing has been made mandatory by the government to know the condition of the soil and after the year 2014, it has increased a lot but along with the information related to the level and deficiency of nutrients in the soil testing report, it should also contain information about which crops the soil is suitable for and what is the population of microorganisms in it," he added. Dr. DK Shahi, President of Soil Science Society and Dean of Agriculture Faculty of BAU, said that the top soil is getting destroyed due to erosion, rain, flood and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, to save which everyone has to be alert. He said that we have to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and try to increase the use of organic and bacterial fertilizers, compost, vermicompost etc. as much as possible so that the health of Mother Earth can remain good. The health of the soil of Jharkhand is better than many plain states.

Research Director Dr. PK Singh said that due to the increasing use of chemical fertilizers, the environment and water sources are getting polluted, due to which the population of birds like sparrows, crows, vultures etc. is decreasing significantly.

Society Secretary Dr. BK Agarwal highlighted the objectives of the society and said that soil is so important that a lot of research is being done in IIT and NIT on its conservation and promotion. Society Treasurer Dr. Arvind Kumar expressed his gratitude. Students and teachers of Saint Joseph High School, Kanke also participated in the event.