World Soil Day | SKUAST-K holds awareness on conservation, sustainable use of soil, water resources

Srinagar, Dec 5: To celebrate World Soil Day, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Tuesday held various functions across campuses and extension stations for the conservation and sustainable use of soil and water resources.

The World Soil Day is commemorated every year on December 5 to focus on soil conservation and sustainable use and management of soil resources. The World Soil Day has been designated under the United Nations-backed Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as a global awareness-raising platform. This year’s theme for the day was ‘Soil and Water, a resource of life’.

The main event, which was held at the SKUAST-K’s Directorate of Extension conference hall, commenced with the reading of the special message from the Director General of FAO, Dr QU Dongyu, by Dr Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, assistant professor of soil science. Today’s event at SKUAST-K was pinned with the World Soil Day interactive map of FAO.

Director, Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, who was the chief guest at the occasion, highlighted the role played by the university through its Directorate of Extension and Krishi Vigyan Kendras’ in promoting ecologically sound, environmentally stable and farmer-friendly technologies. He also made the participants aware about the importance of soil health cards for maintaining proper soil fertility and the health of their farming fields for improving productivity.

Coordinator, Department of English, University of Kashmir, Rinku Pawar, who was the guest of honour at the occasion, appreciated the role and efforts of SKUAST-K in the promotion of soil and water health. She also praised the university for creating awareness regarding the conservation of soil and water resources.

Later a presentation was given by Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, a farmer and entrepreneur promoted by KVK Pulwama, on his vermicompost enterprise, which has an annual production of 3,000 tonnes along with the production of some important bio-fertilizers.

A presentation on the work of Dr Khurshid Ahmad Bhat (Asstt. Prof. Plant Pathology) in the field of promotion of organic farming by using Dal weed extract and formulation of organic product ‘Vanzyme’. Ahmer Bashir, research scholar and a budding entrepreneur from the university’s College of Agriculture, shared his journey as an inventor and entrepreneur that has materialized in the form of chemical-free organic fertilizer ‘Kerah Grow’ that is derived from human hair and bird feathers thus transforming ‘Waste into wealth’.

The programme was followed by a rally from the Directorate to the University gate.

KVK Shopian

SKUAST-K’s Krishi Vikas Kendra Shopian also held an event at Nadigam village of the district to commemorate World Soil Day. Besides the KVK staff, the event was attended by the self-help groups of NRLM, RHWE Students and Farmers of district Shopian. Head, KVK Shopian, Dr Zaffar Afroz Badri, stressed sustainable management of soils for the upliftment of the whole of humanity. Afterwards, various presentations were given on the importance of soil conservation and related topics.

KVK Budgam

Krishi Vikas Kendra Budgam also held an event to celebrate World Soil Day, which was attended by farmers of the district, KVK staff and extension functionaries of the line departments.