SHILLONG/JOWAI: Farmers in Meghalaya, which is primarily an agrarian state, should abstain from using fertilisers without knowing the soil health and take up organic farming, experts said on the occasion of World Soil Day on Wednesday.
S Ayyappan, the chancellor of Central Agricultural University Imphal and former director general of ICAR, farmers of Meghalaya have been forced to depend on agriculture for years without knowing the exact fertility status of their soil.
Around 2.24 M ha of land is affected by soil acidity in Meghalaya.
Speaking at the programme organised by the School of Natural Resource Management, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Central Agricultural University Umiam, Ayyappan said ‘Soil Health Card’ is a field-specific detailed report of soil fertility status and other important soil parameters that affect crop productivity.
“The exact understanding of soil status leads to better and more economic use of fertilisers and better soil management practices,” he added.
Ayyappan advised the 90-odd farmers present at the function to avoid fertilisers without testing the soil.
He further stressed that the significance of celebrating the World Soil Day “lies in our re-affirmation to preserve the soils and to create healthy soils for a healthier and more sustainable life of humanity”. The farmers came from nearby villages of Mawlein Mawkhan, Sorkhyndur, Pallwi, Nongrim Nongladew and Liarsluid.
NB Singh, Dean of the College, said the day focuses on the importance of healthy soil and sustainable management of soil resources. Among other speakers were V. Ram, professor and in-charge of School of Natural Resource Management, and Sanjay Swami, associate professor (soils).
The day was celebrated by organising activities like essay competition on the theme of ‘Be the Solution to Soil Pollution’ and conducting farm demonstration of scientific methods of collecting good soil samples for farmers. Around 90 soil health cards were distributed on the occasion.
In Jowai, Revenue Minister Kyrmen Shylla too appealed to the public to grow more trees and cultivate organic vegetables.
Speaking as chief guest at a function on the occasion of World Soil Day in here, the minister said, “Soil plays a vital role in the ecosystem and it is one of the most valuable gifts of God and every individuals should be responsible for any harms done to the soil by way of various kind of pollutions be it plastic littering around or detergents we used every day.” Every individual should protect and restore soil fertility and avoid using plastic and other polluting materials, said Shylla, who is also in-charge of Printing and Stationeries and Disaster Management.
Earlier, DC Garod LSN Dykes said, “If one wants to have a better tomorrow one must be the caretaker of his own soil.”
District Horticulture Officer BM Majaw informed that the state government has taken steps to encourage farmers to start organic farming instead of using chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Majaw informed that around 23,999 soil health cards have been distributed to farmers of both West and East Jaintia Hills in the first cycle 2015-2017 and in the second cycle 2017-2019 around 24,000 cards will be distributed after the soil are tested.
