‘Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity’

Kohima, December 5 (MExN): Department of Soil and Water Conservation (DoS&WC), Government of Nagaland in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, United Nations organised an event to celebrate World Soil Day with the theme, ‘Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity’ at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on December 5.

A DIPR report stated that Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Geology & Mining and NSMDC, V Kashiho Sangtam in his speech said the theme has urged all to focus our attention on workers belowground, from the tiny bacteria to the slimy earthworm which contributes to processes that are indispensable to life on earth since biodiversity loss has affected the soil.

He said the DoS&WC has been a fore runner in conservation of natural resources since its inception and called upon the department that in order to sustain and manage the environment and to enhance agricultural productivity, proper assessment of natural resources for its capacity is of paramount importance. Therefore, he said to achieve these goals, the government has implemented Soil Health Management (SHM) Scheme across the state on a mission under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare which aims at promoting crop specific nutrient management and its judicious use. 

The Minister called upon DoS&WC and all Agri and allied department and officers to make use of the health management through the soil testing laboratory which has been set up in all the districts.

‘Time to take care of soil’
Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC), Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS speaking on the occasion stated that it was now time for us as humans to stop being selfish and start taking care of the soil. He said that the vital utilities among others of soil included soil as a backbone of food security, storage and filtration of water and most importantly healthy soil provides better crops. 

He stated that being appointed as the APC, he had realised the fulfillment of the burning desire to contribute to the farmers community of the State. However, on his various tours and visits across the State as an APC, he was disturbed to see the condition of our soil in such deteriorated state and hence stressed on the importance replenishing the soils of Nagaland. 

He expressed much hope and confidence on DoS&WC to achieve this enormous task by citing example of the Department's achievement of setting up Soil Testing Labs across 11 districts of the state within just a year of holding the responsibility of Soil Health Card. 

The APC spoke about the upcoming project Naga Model Integrated Settle Farming under which all Agri-Allied Departments would work in a single cluster of 50 hectare land which would eventually benefit the farmers of the State. 

Addressing the gathering, Director Soil & Water Conservation K Zhekheto Awomi emphasized on the importance of having the knowledge of the various macro and micro essential elements and nutrients present in the soil to evaluate the most suitable type of crop to be planted. He stressed on the important role the bureaucracy, legislative and executive plays in imparting such valuable knowledge and awareness to the farmers’ community in the State. 

‘Use but do not abuse’ 
Theme Speaker of the event Principal Scientist (Soil Science) & Head Division of NRM, ICAR-RC NEH Umiam, Meghalaya Dr Samarendra Hazarika took part at the event through online video conference. 

He stated that the objective of the event is to create awareness for the protection and preservation of the health of the soil. Dr Hazarika enlightened the gathering with various technicalities of the types of soil components with special focus on the Northeast especially Nagaland. 

His focus topics were mainly on soil health issues of North East and land degradation whereby he pointed out on shifting cultivation (jhumming) as one of the major cause. He stressed on the challenges of over exploitation of soil over the years and concluded by stating, “Use but do not abuse.”

SHM Scheme and challenges 
Additional Director & State Nodel Officer, Soil Health Management, K Khekiho Shohe while highlighting the SHM Scheme and challenges in the State and Northeast India said the Government of India has provided many schemes and facilities for Soil Health Management and organic farming practices for the state and he encouraged farmers across the state to avail these facilities which are free of cost. 

He made mentioned that the state government has handed over the responsibility for SHM to the DoS&WC in 2019 and since then the department has taken up the initiative of setting up Bio Organic Quality Control Lab, Soil Testing Laboratory and Fertilizer Quality Control Lab in all the districts of the state. 

He also said that three Mobile Van are also in service for testing of soil for places in remote areas and informed that the referral Soil Testing Laboratory at the Directorate of Soil & Water Conservation, Kohima would be upgraded with Inductively Complied Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP) which can also be used for food testing, food poisoning etc and could be of help for Medical Department, PHED, Police department etc. 

Further, he explained about the Soil Health Card which was meant to give information to each farmer about their farm soil nutrient status and how to maintain sound soil health.

The gathering also witnessed a short video clip on the theme and the release of a brochure on Soil Health Management Scheme which would be translated in all local languages of the State.  The event was chaired by Commissioner & Secretary Soil and Water Conservation Vikeyie Kenya IAS and the vote of thanks was delivered by Deputy Director (SS&LUP) Soil and Water Conservation Rongsenlemzung. AHoDs and HoDs of various Agri-Allied Departments also attended the event.