ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, organised World Soil Day on 5th December 2023 at Chindanoor village, Chincholi Taluka, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka. This event was conducted under the SC Sub Plan of the Government of India.

The theme of the World Soil Day, 2023 is “Soil and Water: A Source of Life.” The main objective of this theme is to make people aware of the soil, how to maintain the ecosystem, and to spread awareness about the usefulness and importance of soil. The programme was organised by team of Scientists from ICAR-CRIDA. During the programme, the significance of soil health management and various methods for improving soil quality was discussed in detail with the farmers. The soil sampling technique for soil testing was demonstrated by experts in the farmer’s field. Later on, the analysis of different soil parameters like pH, EC and organic carbon using soil testing kit was demonstrated to the farmers. The farmers were briefed about the results from the soil test reports of the soils collected from the village. The recommendations that can be undertaken to overcome the deficiencies of nutrients and the need for balanced fertilizer application was also discussed. The other soil management practises like crop residue recycling, zero till drill, BBF planter to protect soil quality along with usefulness of organic residues/wastes and the need of crop rotation in maintaining soil health and application of biofertilizers were explained in detail to the farmers. The soil test reports were distributed to the farmers.

The event was organised by a team of scientists, namely Dr. Ravikant Adake, Dr Suvana Sugumaram and Dr. Savitha Santosh, from ICAR-CRIDA in Hyderabad. Shri Vittal Chindar, the Gram Panchayat Sarpanch, was also present. The event was attended by 70 farmers from the Chindanoor village.