“World Soil Day cum Agril. Exhibition” was  jointly organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gondia, DSAO, Gondia and NABARD, Gondia at KVK, Hiwara Gondia on 05th December 2022.

Hon. Mrs Nayana Gunde IAS Collector and District Magistrate, Gondia attended the even as chief guest and inaugurated the programme cum agricultural exhibition in presence of Dr. Nitin Patil Principal Scientist and Head, NBSS& LUP, Nagpur, Dr. Syed Shakir Ali Senior Scientist, KVK, Gondia, Mr. Hindurao Chavan, DSAO, Gondia, Mr Avinash Lad DDM, NABARD, Gondia, Mr Shriram Pachkhede DPO, Gondia, Mr. Sanjay Sangekar District Coordinator MAVIM, Mr. D.L.Tumdam TAO, Gondia, Mr.Sanjay Ahirwar State Head Maharashtra, TAFE, Mr. Pawan Meshram Technical Officer, Agril. Officer, Circle Officer, Agril. Assist,  etc.

Dr. Syed Shakir Ali Senior Scientist and Head gave introductory remarks and explained about World Soil Day Programme and gave valuable suggestions to the farmer’s on soil test-based fertilizer application and importance of soil nutrients for good yields in addition to this he gave information about Soil testing and Interpretation of the results.

Dr.Nitin Patil PS and Head NBSS & LUP explained the importance of soil health to the farmers as well as need of sustainable management of soil resources. Higher soil organic carbon promotes soil structure or tilth which improves greater physical stability and soil aeration. He suggested the Local Administration and State Agril. Department to propose some projects so that national institute and district administrative can work together.

Soil health cards were distributed to farmers during the occasion by the Honorable Chief guest.

Hon. Mrs Naiyna Gunde IAS Collector and District Magistrate, Gondia  appreciated the work done by KVK, Gondia for crop diversification programme under Rabi 2022-23 and  explained the need and importance of soils and soil sample analysis in different agricultural and horticultural crops. She suggested many tips for improving the soil productivity and health and advocated the importance of soil health gave the idea of soil health management. In addition to this she spoke about importance of  organic farming , enlightened the idea of crop diversification and soil biodiversity during the programme.

Mr. Avinash Lad DDM, NABARD, suggested all the FPC and SHG members and farmers to go for soil testing and take the advantage of KVK for getting technical knowhow. He also explained various schemes implemented by NABARD for the benefit of Farming community.

Mr. Hindurao Chavan DSAO, Gondia  addressed the farmers on organic farming and low-cost techniques for getting quality yields.

Mr. Shirram Pachkhede DPO gave information about Mobile Soil Testing Van and suggested the farmers to take the advantage of it for soil testing.

Mr. Sanjay Sangekar District Coordinator MAVIM highlighted the success stories of various SHG’s and Farm women about, soil testing, introduction of Red Rice, Mushroom, dairy, milk collection, Lac production and its products and suggested all the participants to take advantage of the event.

Mr.D.L.Tumdam TAO, Gondia gave information about PMFME scheme, crop diversification and distribution of soil testing report and soil health card to the farmers and suggested all the farmers to take advantage of all govt. scheme.

Mr. M. V. Bhomte SMS (Agro) gave information about green manuring, crop diversification and cultivation technology of Black gram.

An Agril. Exhibition was also organized during the event in which various innovative farmers, SHG’s and FPC members displayed their products viz Vermicompost, Turmeric powder, rice, various bakery products, lac products, vegetables, jaggery, mushroom etc. along with implements required for Farm Mechanization.

Full initiative of this event was done by Mr. Ganesh Khedikar Programme Assistant (Tech.Lab.) who has also done anchoring and vote of thanks was done by Mr. R. D. Chavan SMS( Ento). In all 310 farmers, farm women, FPC shareholders, SHG members, students, along with KVK staff, attended the event and made it a great success.