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Dimapur Dec. 6: The Department of Agriculture observed World Soil Day on the theme “Soil a solid ground for life,” on December 5 at Directorate Conference Hall.
Director of Agriculture, Helie Rüpreo, speaking on the importance of soil, asked the gathering to be aware of civil society and decision-makers about the fundamental roles of soils for human life.
He also emphasised the prominent contribution of soils to food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Thungjamo Lotha, additional director of Agriculture in his keynote address highlighted on the facts of soil in Nagaland. He said soils of Nagaland were highly acidic and in some places, the PH level is as high as 4-4.5 and high rainfall and leaching is the contributing factor for such acidity.
He also stated that the available phosphorus in the soil is low due to acidity of soil and it can be converted to available form by application of Phosphotika which is basically a phosphorous solubilising bacterium. Further, he stressed the importance of zinc and boron which is a soil nutrient and plays an essential role in the growth of plants, especially in rice and vegetables.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Bendangyanger , the joint director who also chaired the programme.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kohima observed World Soil Health Day on December 5 at KVK complex Tseminyu town. Significance of the day was highlighted by Zhiete SMS (Soil conservation) where he stressed on the importance of soil testing, the soil health status of individual farmers and benefits they could avail in terms of production through adopting the recommended of soil status.
On the occasion, a total of 185 soil health card were distributed to progressive farmers representing five villages under Tseminyu sub-division. The programme was chaired by Dr. V. Akashe Zhimomi, programme coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kohima.