A training-cum-workshop on Soil Health Card scheme was organized for three aspirational districts of Odisha – Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada. This was organised jointly by ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil &Water Conservation (IISWC), Sunabeda and MSSRFat the Biju Patnaik Tribal Agro-biodiversity Centre, Jeypore under the Biotech KISAN Hub project supported by the Dept of Biotechnology, Govt of India on 13 January 2021.  Six staff of MSSRF engaged as Young Professionals and five Scientists associated with the project participated in the programme.

The Agriculture Department officials of all three districts offered to extend their support in soil testing and preparation of Soil Health Card. Around 750 soil samples will be collected from the farmers’ field for testing. Soil Health Cards will be issued to all farmers with necessary recommendations based on the soil report.

This initiative is important because it will help farmers be aware of the soil health status of his/her field and take necessary steps based on recommendations in the soil health card to improve soil quality. The farmers will be trained on preparation and application of natural bio inputs like-vermi compost, enriched farmyard manure, Jeevamrita, Handi Khata, Amrut Jal etc. to improve the soil health of their respective fields organically.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. M. Madhu, Head, ICAR-IISWC, Sunabeda. ADA cum Soil Chemist Shri Sudhansu Nanda, Block Agriculture Officer Shri Kishore Chandra Dwibedi of Malkangiri, ADA cum Soil Chemist Shri Sarat Chandra Ghosh, VAW Smt Manjushri Singh of Rayagada and ADA cum Soil Chemist Shri G. Venkat Reddy of Koraput were resource persons.