Awareness Programme on “World Soil Day - Campaign on Soils: Where food Begins” organized by ARS & APT, Tornala on 05-12-2022

A programme on “World Soil Day - Campaign on Soils: Where food Begins” was jointly organized by ARS & APT, Tornala on 05-12-2022 in the premises of APT, Tornala, Siddipet rural mandal, Siddipet district duly involving students of APT and ZPHS, Tornala and farmers of Ibrahimpur (ARS, Tornala adopted village) and Tornala villages. The programme was started with the welcome address by Dr. N. Sainath, Scientist, ARS, Tornala. Later, as part of awareness programme Dr. S. Sridevi, Principal Scientist and Head, ARS, Tornala gave a brief note on theme of this year’s World Soil Day (5th December 2022) i.e. “Soils: Where food Begins” and explained about the importance of healthy soils for food production and sustainability. She further, explained about agronomic management for crops, importance of crop rotation and crop diversification, green manure crops cultivation, importance of biofertilizers and manures on the eve of world soil day and enlightened the farmers and students about ill effects of crop residue burning and suggested to use multi crop shredder/rotary mulcher/rotavator for insitu incorporation of crop residues to avoid air pollution and enrich soil fertility. Later, Dr. N. Sainath, Scientist (SSAC), ARS, Tornala discussed on soil pollution - cause, effects and solutions. He further, explained about soil nutrient management, soil degradation, soil salinity reclamation and management practices for managing problematic soils. Mrs. Saraswathi, Head mistress, ZPHS, Tornala gave a talk on healthy soils healthy food and suggested students to save the soil to future generation. Mr. Md. Faiz Ali, School Assistant, ZPHS, Tornala gave suggestion to students for soil health management and air pollution causes and solutions. Mr. J. Vijay, Coordintor, DAATTC, Tornala gave a brief note on importance of soil health and organic farming. Mr. A. Sathish, Assistant Professor & OIC, Farm, APT, Tornala organized exhibition on modern agricultural farming practices like Integrated farming systems, micro irrigation, hydroponics and afforestation models by APT, Tornala students and took students of ZPHS, Tornala for a field visit. Later, conducted drawing competition on “save soil” for students of ZPHS, Tornala and also distributed prizes for best drawing. Afterwards, students of APT, Tornala performed a skit with moto on “Healthy Soil Healthy Food”. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Mr. A. Sathish, Assistant Professor, APT, Tornala. The programme was attended by Dr. E. Umarani, Scientist (Pl. Br.) & Dr. D. Swetha, Scientist (Agro.), ARS, Tornala and teaching staff of ZPHS, Tornala along with farmers of Ibrahimpur and Tornala, 84 diploma students of APT, Tornala and 80 students of ZPHS, Tornala. At the end of the programme students were visited fields of APT and ARS, Tornala. Scientists were explained the ongoing research works and other activities of APT and ARS, Tornala to students and farmers.