SRINAGAR: Department of Agriculture Kashmir celebrated “World Soil Health Day” across the Kashmir Division. Besides, holding functions at Zonal, Sub Divisional & District levels, an impressive function was held here at Agriculture Complex Lalmandi Srinagar. All officers/ officials & soil experts of the department attended the function. World Soil Health Day” is celebrated annually on 5th of December round the globe to highlight pay attention and to address the issues and challenges confronting this finite natural recourse. This year theme for World Soil Health Day is caring for the planet starts from the ground.
In today’s function while expressing his views Director Agriculture Kashmir, Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, who participated in the function as chief guest, enlightened the importance of soil for human survival. He said that “World Soil Health Day-2017” and its campaign is focused to raise awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy eco-system and human welfare by addressing the increasing challenges in soil management. Mr. Andrabi said that farmers should be made sensitive towards the improper soil management practices. He said that health of the soil has direct impact on our own health therefore all possible efforts should be put in place, so that this most important natural resource can be preserved for generations to come.
He called upon the concerned officers to regularly monitor the progress on “Soil Health Cards” Scheme and ensure that the farmers are managing their cultural practices as per the recommendations of soil health cards. He said the best way to celebrate this day is to generate awareness about the soil health among the farmers at grass root level for sustainability of agriculture production. Meanwhile, different speakers and experts on soil expressed their views on the subject and highlighted the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system. At the end of the function, all the participants reaffirmed their commitment towards the preservation and best management of soil.