Need to adopt new tools of science & tech: Experts

LUDHIANA: Three Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), situated at Handiaya (Barnala), Booh (Tarn Taran) and Majri (Mohali), celebrated World Soil Day at their respective premises.

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 13

Three Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), situated at Handiaya (Barnala), Booh (Tarn Taran) and Majri (Mohali), celebrated World Soil Day at their respective premises.

Dr HK Verma, Director, Extension Education, GADVASU, was the chief guest at Handiaya. Gurdeep Singh, a member of the District Planning Board, Barnala, was a special invitee on this occasion.

Dr Verma inaugurated the programme. He said if soil was healthy, human beings and animals would also remain healthy. If nutrients in the soil are deficit, it will create reproductive problems in dairy animals. Dr Verma said farmers might generate self-employment through dairy farming business.

Dr PS Tanwar, Deputy Director (Training), KVK, Handiaya, explained various activities performed by the KVKs in the service of farming community. He stated that the farmers should be aware of soil testing and must use the right quantity of fertilisers. He also stated that the KVK, Barnala, had collected 258 soil samples from different villages of Barnala district and tested these at Regional Research Station, Bathinda.

At the KVK, Booh (TarnTaran), the World Soil Day celebrations were inaugurated by Dr Prahlad Singh, Associate Director (Professor), KVK. Two pamphlets on “Hare chare daa achaar” and “Mittee dee sehat sambaal” were released on the occasion for distribution among farmers. Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr Prahlad Singh said the World Soil Day 2015 would focus on the theme, ‘Soils, a solid ground for life’. The soil health reports in the form of ‘Soil Health Cards’ will help the farmers in assessing soil mineral profile and help in managing the agricultural practices on scientific lines.

The experts said the natural resource base of agriculture was shrinking and degrading. Also it is adversely affecting the production capacity of the ecosystem. There is an urgent need to adopt new tools of science and technology which offer a tremendous opportunity for application in agriculture, the experts further said.

At KVK Majri (Mohali), the day was celebrated with active contribution from the Agriculture Department Punjab. Dr Yashwant Singh, Deputy Director, KVK, along with 300 farmers, attended the programme. On this occasion, soil health cards were distributed among the farmers.