World Soil Day-2023 Celebrated at ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack
ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack celebrated the “World Soil Day and Awareness Training” on theme “Soil and Water: Source of Life” jointly organized by ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack under the project SAFAR, funded by the State Government of Odisha in collaboration with National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), Cuttack Chapter at NRRI on 5 December 2023. This vital connection between soil and water is essential to our survival. More than 95% of the food we eat comes from soil and water, which are essential for the health of all terrestrial ecosystems. The meeting was attended by more than 80 participants including farmers, farmwomen, scientists and students. Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack chaired the function and addressed all the participants. Dr. Debarati Bhaduri, organizing secretary of this programme welcomed all the dignitaries and briefed about the celebration of ‘World Soil Day’. Prof. K.K. Rout, Former Dean, OUA&T, Bhubaneswar graced the occasion as chief guest of the function. Prof. Rout, delivered his guest lecture on the importance of soil as a source of life, land degradation in India, issues related to the physical health of soil, and the advantages of compost and vermicompost in enhancing soil health. Dr. Sangita Mohanty enlightened farmers about the importance of world soil day, soil health management and how it is related to a healthy society. In the morning, farmer participants from Cuttack and Jajpur districts received awareness training on soil sampling, and a team of scientists interacted with them regarding various soil related problems.