The 87th Annual Convention of Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) was inaugurated by Kamal Patel Ji, Hon’ble Minister, Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday by lighting lamp. The convention was organised by ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science at CIAE, Bhopal. At the out set, Dr. S.P.
Datta, Director (ICAR-IISS) welcomed dignitaries Kamal Patel, State Agriculture Minister; Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, DDG, NRM, ICAR, New Delhi and Former Deputy Director General (DDG), Former Directors, Past Presidents of ISSS.
Minister Patel emphasized on soil health in order to maintain human and animal health through natural farming. He highlighted the consequences of green revolution by which there is bumper production but deterioration in human health due to excessive use of chemical fertilizer as well as pesticide. He further stated that food grown under traditional agriculture is more nutritious, tastier and healthier compared to food grown under intensive
agriculture and modern agriculture.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to revive the soil with respect to its physical, chemical and biological condition and overall soil health. Thus, he urged upon the scientist to go for natural farming to revert back to the healthier soil so that golden period of our country comes back. He also highlighted the importance of various schemes implemented by state and central government to improve the livelihood status of small and marginal farmers in terms of economics.
The function was graced by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, New Delhi as the special guest. Dr. Pathak appreciated the work done by Indian Society of Soil Science that it is only the society working continuously for 87 years with dedicated efforts and expected to continue with new zeal in relevant area of soil science. He stated that there is an urgent need of research as well as awareness about soil amongst the common people.
He further stated that there is need to work on various issues such as product orientated research, problem solving research and soil health card application etc.