ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

The programme brought together scientists, academicians, policy makers, extension professionals and farmers to deliberate on innovative strategies for maintaining soil fertility, balanced nutrient management and improving crop productivity in major crops of Kerala. The workshop emphasized the role of integrated soil health management practices and balanced fertilizer application in reducing input costs, enhancing nutrient use efficiency and promoting climate-resilient agriculture.

The Workshop was inaugurated by Dr. P. Rajendran, Chairman, Farmers’ Welfare Fund Board, Government of Kerala and Former Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University as the Chief Guest. The Chief Guest emphasized that maintaining soil health through balanced fertilizer use is essential for ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity, environmental protection and food security. He highlighted the need for integrating scientific nutrient management practices with farmers’ traditional knowledge to achieve climate-resilient and profitable farming systems in Kerala. Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI delivered the presidential address and technical insights on plant nutrition and food security.

The Director emphasized that healthy soils and balanced nutrient management are the cornerstones of sustainable agriculture and food security. He underscored the importance of adopting eco-friendly and scientifically balanced fertilizer practices to enhance crop productivity, maintain soil fertility and support climate-resilient farming systems in Kerala. Around one hundred and eighty delegates participated in the event.

The technical sessions covered diverse themes including plant nutrition and food security, balanced fertilizer use, soil health management, sustainable yield pathways and crop production in acid soils. Experts from Kerala Agricultural University, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod and ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Trivandrum shared scientific advancements and practical recommendations on nutrient management in plantation crops and tropical tuber crops particularly in acid soils. The workshop also included an interactive session with farmers from Palakkad district focusing on sustainable crop production technologies and agro-techniques suited to Kerala conditions. The programme served as an important platform for knowledge exchange among researchers, extension personnel and farming communities, reinforcing the need for balanced fertilizer use and soil conservation to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability, food security and preservation of natural resources.

Dr. G. Suja, Head, Division of Crop Production, ICAR-CTCRI, gave an introductory remarks and welcomed the gathering. Dr. V. K. Venugopal, Former Professor and Head (Soil Science), Kerala Agricultural University; Shri. Saji John, Mission Director, State Horticulture Mission, Govt. of Kerala and Dr. C.S. Dathan, Additional Director, Department of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation, Govt. of Kerala offered felicitations. Dr. V. Ramesh proposed vote of thanks.

Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute; Dr. B. Rani, Professor & Head, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Thiruvananthapuram; Dr. P. Subramanian, Head, Division of Crop Production, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod; Dr. K. Susan John and Dr. S. Sunitha, Principal Scientists, ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram handled different topics in the technical session of the workshop. About 180 participants covering scientists, academicians, policy makers, extension professionals and farmers attended the programme. Dr(s).V. Ramesh, Jeena Mathew, D. Jaganathan, K. Sunilkumar and J. Suresh Kumar coordinated the event.