Kargil, December 05:
KVK Kargil –II (Zanskar) today celebrated World Soil Health Day at KVK station Padam and Khawos Village of Taisuru Block to aware maximum farmers.
The KVK invited all the participants who despite cold with mercury dipping as low as -20o C participated in the event with great interest.
The event began with the inaugural address of Dawa and Aqleema who briefed the participants about the importance of celebrating Soil Day.
Later, Dr. Shabber Hussain delivered a presentation covering a wide range of themes including the importance of World Soil Day and its impact of the environment on its quality, ecosystem, plant health, animal health, human well being etc.
The participants were encouraged to engage proactively to improving, and sustaining soil health to ensure regional food security and food safety in a natural farming approach.
The participant were educated about their additional responsibilities to maintain and improving soil health, various feasible and available action to effectively deal with the challenges pertained to soil health presented by the unique topography and environmental condition of the region were also discussed. He also educated about government welfare schemes like soil health card, PM-Kisan, KCC under the banner of Viksit Bharat Sankalp campaign.
Dr. F.A. Shah Khan Head informed about the concerns of malpractices which have the potential to degrade soil health in ecologically sensitive areas of Ladakh and their mitigation strategies were also shared with the stakeholders.
He also said that the good news is natural farming can heal the soil, build soil fertility, and also increase carbon capture. The use of pesticides continues to increase worldwide and soil contamination and pesticide residues have become a major threat to soil quality and soil function, he said. The event concluded with the vote of thanks to the all participants by Tashi Dawa, Programme Assistant, KVK-Kargil-II Zanskar.