The World Soil Day was commemorated at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation here on Tuesday with Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj as the Chief guest.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Cabinet Minister appreciated the institute’s efforts in preparing and distributing Soil Health Card and urged the farmers to ensure right application of the card.
He also spoke about super food and protein revolution, urging the institute to make efforts in this direction. Dehradun cantonment MlA Harbans Kapoor, MlA indicated the importance of utilising improved farm techniques for increasing farmer’s income and highlighted the role the institute has to play in achieving it.
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) director general SC Gairola, in his address, spoke about integration of soil and forest and developing strategies to improve forest productivity through soil testing.
Two hundred and fifty Soil Health Cards were also distributed to the farmers from four villages adopted by the institute- Hattal, Sainj, Semalta and Naini on the occasion.
The ICAR-IISWC director in charge, NK Sharma briefed the gathering about the institute’s works and efforts towards soil and water conservation.
He also spoke of the institute’s connection with the farmers.
Earlier, the cabinet minister led the gathering in taking the oath as part of the Save Soil campaign.
About 40 scientists of the institute, 55 agricultural students and five faculty members from Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, 25 technical, 30 administrative, 25 officer trainees, 60 other staff of the institute and 35 farmers participated in the campaign.