World Soil Day and Awareness Programme on Natural Farming KBK, Wyra on 05.12.2022

December 5 is celebrated annually as World Soil Day (WSD) to highlight the importance of healthy soil and promote sustainable management of soil resources. International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and FAO in 2002 decided to celebrate WSD as a global awareness raising stage. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5th December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day. Each year a different theme is given and the theme of World Soil Day 2022 as per FAO movement is “Soils: Where food begins”. Soil nutrient loss is a major soil degradation process threatening nutrition and is recognized as being among the most important problems at a global level for food security and sustainability all around the globe. “Soils: Where food begins” aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.KVK, Wyra celebrated World Soil Day and Awareness programme on Natural farming with 212 farmers, 28 students, 4 department officials on 05.12.2021 along with 7 scientists. Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Wyra, spoke about the importance to adopt environment friendly agricultural practices for effective fertiliser usage with for boosted crop efficiency and at the same time preserve soil healthiness. Dr. K. Gopala Krishna Mouthy, Associate professor, Agriculture College, Aswaraopet emphasized the importance of natural farming, Dr. Kishore, EO, DLDA discussed about the impact of chemicals pesticides used for growing of agriculture crops, how these pesticide residues present on food chain and alternate methods for farming. Dr. K. Rukmini Devi spoke about the importance of healthy soil for a healthy life and highlighted the institute’s activities like seed production of pulses. Dr. G. Venu Gopal discussed about the importance of balanced nutrition in enhancing soil organic carbon for better soil health. Sri Babu Rao, ADA, Wyra spoke about the agriculture schemes implemented during Yasangi. Smt Anitha, ADH, Khammam explained about the oil palm and other horticulture crops area expansion schemes to farmers. Dr. K. Ravi Kumar discussed about adverse effects of excess use of fertilisers and pesticides and its impact on global warming, the advantages of natural farming. Smt.P.S.M Phanisri briefed about the issues related to land degradation and soil health restoration. Dr. V. Chaitanya spoke of agronomic practices and nutrient management under natural farming in vegetable cultivation. Mr. D. Nagaraju discussed about need for testing of the soils during lean period for better results during crop time. On this occasion felicitated natural farmers and these farmers were shared their experiences on natural farming. The students exhibited different models related to soil conservation and natural farming. Dr. K. Ravi Kumar proposed vote of thanks on this occasion.