World Soil Day Celebration

Generation of Soil Health Cards (SHC): A total of 250 composite grid soil samples (2.5 ha area interval) collected from four blocks of Kollam district of Kerala state viz., Kottarakkara, Kundara, Punalur and Chadayamangalam were received from the ATMA unit of Kollam district under Department of Agriculture (DOA). These samples were analysed for 12 parameters viz., pH, organic carbon, available P and K, exchangeable Ca and Mg, available S, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and B in the Soil Science laboratories of the Institute. We have log in to the Soil Health National Portal through the DOA and based on the farmers' information registered for the above 250 samples by the Block Technology Managers, the analytical data generated was entered for arriving at the fertilizer recommendation after getting proper acquaintance with the computer programme from the Officer in charge of the same at DOA.
 
Soil health cards generated by ICAR-CTCRI
Nutrient status of the samples: The soils were mostly acidic with pH ranging from 4.3-6.5, organic carbon was low to high, available P was high to extremely high, Exchangeable K ranged from low to high, Available Ca, Mg S and B were deficient in 98% of the samples. But Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were sufficient in 98% samples.
Distribution of SHC: A total of 274 cards generated were printed, laminated and distributed to farmers as follows: Kottarakkara-49, Kundara-42, Chadayamangalam-63 and Punalur-115.
ICAR-CTCRI also formed a part of the State level celebration organized by the Department of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation and DOA. The same was held at Kerala University Senate Hall, inaugurated by Honourable Chief Minister of the State and presided by the Agriculture Minister of the State. The meeting was attended by several dignitaries including Health Minister of the State, Vice Chancellor, KAU, Director, State Horticulture Mission, Chief Postmaster General, Director, ICAR-CTCRI, Director, DOA and Department of Soil Survey and Soil conservation other than political representatives of the Parliament, Assembly and Corporation. A total of 12 cards were distributed by the Chief Minister which comprised two of the cards generated by ICAR-CTCRI (Mr. K.G. Unnithan, Kareepra, Kottarakkara and Mr. Syam Kumar, Pattazhy). Director, ICAR-CTCRI also made a felicitation address on the occasion. There were technical sessions in the meeting till evening. The State level meeting was attended by more than 1500 people and the block level meetings around 50-75 farmers each in each block.

Chief Minister making the inaugural address	Presidential address by the Agricultur Minister	Audience in the State level meeting	Director, ICAR-CTCRI making the felicitation

    
Meanwhile four of our Scientists viz., Dr. V. Ravi, Head, Division of Crop Production, Dr. G. Suja, Principal Scientist (Agronomy), Dr. S. Sunitha, Principal Scientist (Agronomy) and Dr. V. Ramesh, Senior Scientist (Soil Conservation), Division of Crop production attended the celebration in the respective four blocks, distributed cards and delivered technical classes.
 
Dr. V. Ravi in the Block level  meeting                           Dr. G. Suja in the Block level
at Kundara                                                  meeting at Chadayamangalam

 
Dr. S. Sunitha at the Block level meeting at   Dr. V. Ramesh at the Block level meeting
at  Kottarakkara                                                          at Punalur

Dr. Susan John, K, Principal Scientist (Soil Science) and Nodal Officer of the program for the institute and Dr. V.Ravi, Head, Division of Crop Production co-ordinated the program in bringing the samples from DOA, analysing the samples, generating the cards with the assistance of the DOA through national SHC portal, associating with the State level meeting, arranging the celebration at block level and distributing the cards.