ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

The programme commenced with registration of participants, followed by a welcome address delivered by Mr. Kumaravel, Agricultural Officer, soil testing wing. The session was presided over by Dr. V. Ramesh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI, who highlighted the importance of soil health and scientific interventions in enhancing crop productivity and sustainability highlighting tuber crops such as cassava and sweet potato, which are relevant tuber crops in practice at present. The next training was delivered by Mr. Ramesh, Agricultural Officer, who emphasized the critical role of soil health management and balanced nutrient application in soil and human health.

The technical session included expert lectures on key aspects of soil and crop management. Dr. V. Ramesh delivered a detailed talk on soil health and balanced fertilizer use, stressing the importance of soil testing and judicious nutrient management. This was followed by a lecture by Mr. Kumaravel on the procedure of soil sampling and soil testing and addressed field-level problems and clarifying farmers’ queries. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Jeevagan, Assistant Agricultural Officer, Thovalai block. Subsequently, biofertilizers Pseudomonas was distributed to the participating farmers by the state department. A total of 42 farmers participated and benefitted. The programme witnessed active participation from women farmers of the area and helped in enhancing awareness on soil health management and improved tuber crop production technologies.