DODA: The Divisional Soil Survey Scheme under the Directorate of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Jammu, successfully concluded the Two-Day Training Programme on Soil Health Management here today at the SDAO Office Hall, Pranoo. Attended by over 50 farmers and rural youth from across the district, the program aimed to enhance awareness and capacity-building in sustainable soil management practices as part of the larger HADP Project No. 19 titled ‘J&K Soil and Land Resources Information Systems for Planning and Soil Health Management (JKSLRI)’.
Inauguration was marked with the lighting of ceremonial lamp by Dr. Manoj Kumar, Chief Scientist RHRS Bhaderwah, and other guests. The event featured detailed presentations by agricultural experts. Over the two days, topics such as Sustainable Soil Health Management, Physical Properties of Soils, Integrated Nutrient Management, Soil Health Card Scheme, and Land Capability Classification were discussed. Renowned resource persons, including Dr. Manoj Kumar, Suresh Kumar Khajuria, Dr. Neeraj Rajwal, Haroon Hussain, and Dr. Aadil Rashid, provided valuable insights on modern and traditional soil health practices to improve agricultural productivity.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Katoch, Programme Officer from the Office of the Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Jammu, highlighted the importance of blending India's rich agricultural heritage with modern techniques to address global food security challenges. He emphasized that sustainable soil management is crucial for ensuring long-term productivity and environmental conservation. The event also underlined the role of soil health in tackling climate change and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices.
The program concluded with an interactive session between farmers and experts, followed by a valedictory function. Certificates of participation and soil sample collection kits were distributed to the participants by dignitaries. The success of the program goes to the collaborative efforts of Chief Agriculture Officer Doda, Anil Gupta, and SDAO Pranoo, Ashwani Abrol and their teams, whose dedication ensured the seamless execution of this initiative. This training marked a significant step in empowering local farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and optimize land use for better yields.
