The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tarn Taran organized online Kisan Gosthi on the occasion of ‘World Soil Day’ . 54 farmers, college students and KVK officials participated in the online programme. The kisan gosthi organized on the topic ‘Role of beneficial soil microorganisms in sustaining soil health and crop production’ keeping in view the theme of FAO. In inaugural session, Dr Balwinder Kumar, Associate Director (T), KVK, Tarn Taran welcome all the participants and informed about the importance of the day. He said that World Soil Day is celebrating throughout the world with the theme of ‘Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity’ as suggested by Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations. Dr Kumar highlighted that we can reduce dependency on chemical fertilizer by using biofertilizer and strengthening microbial population in soil by following eco-friendly practices. Dr Kumar appealed farmers to come forward for testing soil of their respective fields regularly and fertilizer application should be done following recommendations given in the soil health card, so that the fertility of the soil may be sustained for longer duration. Dr Anil Kumar, Soil Scientist told that soil is a complex dynamic ecosystem that contains numerous groups of beneficial soil microorganisms. These microorganisms play a significant role in mineralising mineral nutrients, improving soil health as well as sustainable crop production. The farmers can strengthen the population of beneficial soil microbes by applying crop specific biofertilizer such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter, phosphate solublising bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, etc. The eco-friendly agricultural practices including addition of farmyard manure, green manuring, crop rotation with legume crops, etc. also favour microbial population in the soil and benefit crops. Dr Kumar also elaborated that soil microbes benefit soil–plant system through production of various bio–molecules like enzymes, vitamins, antibiotics, hormones, organic acids, etc. that have ability to promote plant growth. He appealed farmers to involve biofertilizers in crop production, so that they may harvest nutritionally rich produce and also improve soil health on sustainable basis. Dr Kumar told that this year Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tarn Taran has issued 321 soil health cards to more than 200 farmers belonging to different villages of district Tarn Taran. Dr Anil thanked all the farmers, students and KVK officials for their participation and making this programme a success.
