ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya celebrated the World Soil Day, 2024 on 5th December 2024, under the theme – “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor and Manage” with the aim to sensitize the tribal farming community to highlight the importance of soil health for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience and encourage the adoption of scientific methods for assessing different soil properties, fertility, and contamination level amongst the farmers.
        The programme was sponsored by the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. A total of seventy nine (79) participants comprising of fifty (50) numbers of tribal farmers from Umket Villages, eighteen (18) scientists and Head of Divisions and twelve (12) project and supporting staff of ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam, participated in the event. Specifically, a total of thirty four (34) female participated in the event.
        Dr. V.K. Mishra, Honorable Director of the institute, Dr. S. Hazarika, Nodal Officer, TSP and Head, Division of System Research and Education (DSRE), Dr. Braj Pal Singh, Head, Division of Technology Assessment & Capacity Building (DTAC), Dr. S. Basanta Singh, Principal Scientist, DTAC highlighted the importance of World Soil Day, the need for measuring and monitoring the soil health and management of acidic soil in the region. The program also highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the village and explored the possible scope for achieving sustainable agricultural practices and agri-entrepreneurship development among the farmers.
        The program was followed by an interactive session between scientists and farmers, where experts from various fields, including Mrs. M. Prabha Devi, Dr. T. Ramesh, Dr. H.D. Talang, Y. Bijen Kumar, Dr. R. Krishnappa, Dr. A. Balusamy, N. Raju Singh, Dr. Christy Sangma, Dr. L. Joymati Chanu, Dr. Mahasweta Chakraborty, Dr. Rahul Katiyar, Dr. Pampi Paul, Dr. S. Gojendro, and Dr. K. Ajaykumar, addressed the farmers' needs.
        Agricultural inputs such as French bean, pea, coriander and cucumber seeds, Rose Garden Watering Can, and Nursery pro-trays were distributed to the farmers. The programme concluded with a resounding success and appreciations from Mr. Kambha Shadap, Dorbar Shnong and Kong Juphina, a school teacher and all the participants of the Umket village, Ri-Bhoi District.