Mission LiFE aligned with the theme of World Environment Day 2024
ICAR- National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack, in collaboration with the National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS), Cuttack Chapter, and Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS), Cuttack Chapter is organizing one day workshop and training for celebration of “Mission LiFE aligned with the theme of World Environment Day 2024″ on ‘Managing Heavy Metal in Rice Farming: Sustainable Strategies for Environmental Health’ on June 03, 2024. The event will be organized under the project ‘Economic and environment-friendly utilization of Basic-Slag and Fly Ash as Soil amendments to Reclaim Acid soils of Odisha [SAFAR]: Waste to wealth for promoting circular economy (EAP 411)’ funded by State of Government of Odisha.
India is environmentally conscious country. Our philosophy and life style have long been rooted in the concept of co-existence with nature. Conservation is ingrained in the Indian ethos, not just in tradition-bound villages, but even in urban areas. However, despite our strong values and ever-advancing technology, heavy metals are making their way onto our plates. With this workshop, ICAR- NRRI join millions around the globe in calling for action to secure a safe environment for safe food. The meeting was attended by nearly 60 participants including guests from premium research institutes, industries, startups FPOs and Farmers from Angul, Dhenkanal, Jharsuguda, Jajpur and Cuttack. Soil health Cards and seeds of ICAR-NRRI released rice varieties has been distributed among the farmers by the honorable Director Dr AK Nayak, ICAR-NRRI. Dr N K Dhal, Head and chief Scientist, Environment and Sustainability department, IMMT, Bhubaneswar graced the occasion as chief guest and guest speaker of the function. Dr MM Rahman, Associate Professor, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia also joined the occasion virtually as guest speaker of the function. Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack chaired the function. Participants received awareness training on soil sampling, and team of scientists interacted with them. Dr. Pratap Bhattacharya, Head, Crop Production Division enlightened farmers about the use of industrial wastes after value addition and how it is related to a healthy environment. While addressing the issue of soil degradation and its management, Dr. Nayak emphasized on the role of importance of soil test based nutrient application, use of compost and other important technologies. Chief guest Dr N K Dhal spoke on the importance of phytoremediation techniques for managing heavy metal polluted soil. Dr MM Rahman spoke on the Arsenic and Cadmium toxicity in rice and their possible management options. Additionally, Mr Santosh Pattojoshi, Area manager, Tata steel, Dhenkanal shared his thought how fly ash and slag can effective for improving soil nutrient status. Dr Ashok Kumar Kar, Chief District Agriculture officer, Cuttack enlighten the house about the importance of reclamation of Acid soils. At the outset, Dr. Rubina Khanam, organizing secretory welcomed all the dignitaries and Dr. M. Shahid offered the vote of thanks.
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