Farmers’ participation

In continuation of various efforts to doubling the farmer’s income by 2022, ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Thoothukudi, and Department of Agriculture, Thoothukudi jointly organized “World Soil Health Day” at KVK premises on 5th Dec 2017.

The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp and Dr. V. Srinivasan, Senior Scientist and Head, SCAD KVK Thoothukudi welcomed the dignitaries and the farmers as well as highlighted the purpose of the meeting to the participants. Dr. A. Velayutham, Professor & Head, (Farm Machinery) AC&RI, Killikulam briefed the importance of soil health and measures like raising green manure crops, application of bio fertilizers and integrated farming system to sustain the soil fertility level.

Dr. A. Ramalingam, Dean, AC&RI, Killikulam elucidated the harmful effects of burning plant wastes in the field, and the pollution caused by such practices. He advised the farmers to convert the garden waste into manure to increase soil fertility. The various schemes and services rendered to the farmers by the department of agriculture were explained to the participants by Mr. M.S.N. Selvaraj, Joint Director of Agriculture and requested the farmers to cooperate with the department to avail of the services fully. He also appreciated the efforts of SCAD KVK in raising the level of awareness among farmers by various trainings and demonstration methods.

Speech by the Chief guest

Mr. T. Bharathi, Deputy Director (ATMA) stressed on the importance of conserving soil and water to increase the production and productivity of agricultural crops and he also highlighted the training programs of ATMA in collaboration with SCAD KVK Thoothukudi. Mr. Prean Naidu, Soil Health Specialist, told the participants that the soil was like our mother and it was necessary to keep her in good condition to feed us regularly. He also suggested the participants to produce some organic rich products like fish hydrolysate, lactobacillus serum preparation from rice wash water and Berkeley method of fast composting. Mr. E.V.N. Muthu Elezhil, PA (Agri) to Collector, Mr. Deivanayagam, Deputy Director (Central Scheme), and Mr. K. Ananth, Director, SCAD Rural Development Division also spoke about the importance of soil health.

The program was organized at SCAD KVK premises by SCAD KVK staff. An exhibition was also organized at the training venue and various organic products were displayed there for the better understanding of the participants. Earlier in the meeting soil health cards were distributed by the dignitaries to the farmers of Vilathikulam, Ottapidaram, Pudukottai and Melapoovani villages. 22 department personnel and 228 farmers from all of the 12 blocks of Thoothukudi district attended the meeting and witnessed the products displayed in the exhibition.

Finally Mr. C. Palani Velayutham, Asst. Director (Quality control) thanked all the dignitaries and SCAD KVK, Thoothukudi for the successful observance of the World Soil Health Day. The program came to an end with the National Anthem.