UDHAMPUR: The Divisional Soil Survey Scheme, under the Directorate of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Jammu, successfully concluded a two-day District-Level Training Programme on Soil Health Management at the SDAO Office in Udhampur.
The event brought together 50 farmers and rural youth from across the District with the aim of enhancing skills in sustainable soil practices and effective nutrient management. This training was part of a series of district-level initiatives under the ‘Capacity Building’ component of the HADP Project no. 19 – J&K Soil and Land Resources Information Systems for Planning and Soil Health Management (JKSLRI) for the 2024-25 cycle.
The training covered subjects such as Sustainable Soil Health Management, Judicious Use of Fertilizers, the Soil Health Card Scheme, Land Capability Classification, and Integrated Nutrient Management. Among the key speakers were Dr. Sanjay Koushal, Scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (SKUAST-J), Aman Jyoti Sharma, Agriculture Chemist Jammu, Dr. Neeraj Rajwal, Assistant Soil Chemist Jammu, Dr. Aadil Rashid, ASSO Jammu, and Sukhbir Singh, SMS-II Udhampur.
The programme, which aimed to provide practical knowledge and tools for better soil management, culminated with a valedictory session where participants were awarded certificates and Soil Sample Collection Kits.
These kits are essential for farmers to conduct their own soil testing, an important step towards improving soil health and optimizing agricultural practices. The certificates were presented by the dignitaries, including Sh. Suresh Kumar Khajuria, who emphasized the significance of such training in empowering farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Divisional Soil Survey Officer Suresh Kumar Khajuria remarked, "This training is another important step in empowering our farmers with the knowledge and resources needed to sustainably manage soil health. Healthy soils are the backbone of agricultural resilience, and through these initiatives, we aim to contribute to the long-term productivity and sustainability of our agricultural systems." Rajeev Katoch, Programme Officer from the Office of the Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension) Jammu, conducted the proceedings of the programme.
