Port Blair, Dec. 5: ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Central Island Agricultural Research Institute observed “World Soil Day” befittingly on 05.12.2022. at Chouldari Gram Panchayat, Govindpur and Perka village of Nicobar. The campaigns were conducted with the theme “Soils: where food begins” to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

Smt. Tapasi Saha. Pradhan, Chouldari Gram Panchayat was the Chief Guest and Samiti Member Smt. Chaitali Haldar was the Guest of Honour for the awareness program at Chouldari Gram Panchayat. The programme was also attended by other PRI members of Chouldari Gram Panchayat.

Dr. B. K. Nanda, S.M.S. (Agri. Engg.), Shri Thanmai Paul, Technical Officer of KVK, South Andaman and Er. Manoj Kumar, SMS (Agril. Engg.), ICAR-KVK, Nimbudera were the resource persons for the programs. A detailed discussion was made on the importance of soil conservation, natural farming, soil health card, Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme and other schemes related to agriculture and allied sector, of Govt. of India. A practical demonstration was conducted on the preparation of “Jeevamrut” involving the participants of the program.

At Govindpur, the programme was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Biswas, Head, Govt. Secondary School, Govindpur in presence of School teachers. In his inaugural speech Shri Sanjay Biswas expressed the need of soil conservation measures for enhancing crop productivity in this region. Shri Paul David, First Headman Perka Village grace the program.

On this occasion, a total of 173 farmers, farm women and school children were befitted at three places of the Islands. These programs were organised under the supervision & guidance of Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, Director, CIARI, Port Blair and Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist & Head.