Celebration of World Soil Day on 04-12-2021 at RARS, Polasa, Jagtial

• Regional Agricultural Research station and Agricultural Polytechnic, Jagtial organized “World Soil Day” in a grand way on 04.12.2021 by involving 250 no. of farmers with the aim of halting soil solanization and boosting soil productivity. Welcome address was given by Dr. B. Laxmi Prasanna, Scientist (Plant Breeding), RARS, Jagtial.
• The session was chaired by Dr.M. Uma Devi, ADR, RARS, Jagtial, Sudheer Kumar, Additional DRDO and Dr.K. Sukumar, Vice Principal, Agricultural Polytechnic.
• On this occasion, Dr.M. Uma Devi, ADR, RARS, Jagtial addressed the gathering by creating awareness on importance of soil health management and urged for sustained efforts in preserving the health of soil through use of scientific methods of soil management. She explained the importance of use of organic manures, green manures, bio-fertilizers, crop residue management, crop rotation, inclusion of legumes in cropping system, soil test based fertilization application, mulching etc to maintain and improve soil health, fertility and productivity.
• She also said that organic farming improves the soil health and urged the farmers to cut down the excess application of chemical fertilizers. Dr. Sudheer Kumar, Additional District Rural Development Officer,  Jagtial said that the farmers should utilize the research station for improving their knowledge on soil health.
• Dr. K. Sukumar, Vice Principal, Agricultural Polytechnic addressed about the importance of balanced application of fertilizers to the crops. On this occasion a brochure was released on “ Management techniques to improve the Soil Health” written by Dr. P. Ravi, Dr. A. Krishna Chaitanya and Dr. M. Uma Devi and distributed to the farmers.
• Later, lectures were delivered by the scientists on various topics on soil health.
• Dr. A.  Uma Rajashekar, Asst. Prof (Microbiology) given power point "Importance of biofertilizers and role of beneficial micro organisms in maintaining soil health".
• Dr. A. Krishna Chaithanya, Scientist (SSAC) presented on "Nutritional deficiencies of major crops of NTZ and their management".
• Dr. P. Ravi, Scientist (SSAC) presented the results of long term fertilizer experiment and "Soil physical problems and management of saline soils".
• Dr.S. Chandrashekar, Asst. Prof (SSAC) presented about the Crop residue management for betterment of soil fertility.
• On this occasion a brochure on suggestions for soil health (Neelala aarogya parerakshanaku suchanalu) was released and distributed to all the farmers (Copy enclosed).
• Later , the progressive farmers , Sri.Ramakishan from adopted village Veldurthi, Jagtial(M&D), was felicitated (for getting higher yield by practicing Dry direct seeding in Paddy) Durgam Rajanna from Arepalli village, Dharmapuri Mandal, Jagtial District was felicitated for achieving higher yield by adopting Organic farming  and Baddam Devendar Reddy from Joginapalli village, Korutla mandal , Jagtial district was felicitated for practicing organic farming of Sesamum and getting higher yields up to 6-7 q/acre. 
• A visit was conducted to soil testing lab for observing different soil testing instruments used for soil testing and demonstrated soil testing procedure by AELP students from Agricultural College, Jagtial and field demonstration was conducted on paddy straw mulcher for crop residue management.
• Farmers also visited to sesamum (JCS 3287) minikit (I year) fields at RARS, Jagtial.
• Exhibition stall was installed to display of various varieties released from the station, organic products like compost, biofertilizers and different type of soils, soil sampling tools, soil health card sample sheet etc.
• A part of the expenditure for the programme was sponsored by IFFCO fertilizers Ltd, COROMONDEL fertilizers Ltd   and KRIBHCO fertilizers Ltd.   The farmers felt that the programme was very informative, needy and useful and expressed satisfaction. Later, the meeting was ended formally with vote of thanks.   
• Agricultural polytechnic students acted as volunteers and participated in various activities.
• In this programme, Scientists, fertilizer company officials, Agricultural polytechnic students, AELP students and above 250 farmers have participated.