Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi-834006
Date: 06.01.2016
Press-release
International Workshop on Soil Health at BAU on January 12-13
Ranchi; About 200 scientists from across the country and abroad would discuss the ways and means of improving the physical, chemical and biological health of soil at the two-day International Workshop on Soil Health being organized by Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) in collaboration with College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University, New York, USA and Tata Cornell Initiative, USA at Ranchi on January 12-13.
BAU Vice Chancellor, Dr George John informed that healthy soils is the foundation for sustainable food production, yet the role of soils was quite often neglected and public awareness of soil health and management was generally low. Agriculture sector is witnessing a problem of stagnation in crop yields, he added. “Diminished soil health can be a fall out of intensive agricultural practices leading to decline in soil environment and increase in nutrient imbalances,” Dr John said.
Lectures to be delivered by Cornell University scientists would include topics like ‘Soil health management and assessment frameworks’ by Prof Harold van Es, ‘Report on soil samples analysed’ by Phil Frost, ‘Solutions to improve soil health in Indian sub-region’ by Peter Hobbs, and ‘Geographical Information System (GIS)/ Remote Sensing (RS) and data management for ongoing soil health management’ by David Rossiter. Dr Sangeeta Lenka from Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Dr KV Ramarao from Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal and Dr Girish Chander from International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)’ Hyderabad have also confirmed their participation. Eminent soil scientists from ICAR institutes, CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat development Centre), state agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and officials of department of agriculture, Government of Jharkhand would also participate in the event planned to address the present scenario of soil health, identify the emerging issues and design appropriate strategies.
Dr DK Shahi, Chairman, Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU is Member Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the event while Prof of Soil Science Dr BK Agrawal is the Organizing Secretary. For details, the BAU website www.bauranchi.org may please be visited.
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(Pankaj Vatsal)
Public Relations Officer
