Shimoga, December 05, 2020: ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shimoga and the Shimoga Multipurpose Social Service Society, Shimoga jointly celebrated the World Soil Day 2020 on 05 December 2020 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Auditorium, Shimoga. World Soil Day is held every year on 05 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. The theme of World Soil day 2020 is “Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity.”
An international day to celebrate Soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported the formal establishment of World Soil Day as a global awareness raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day. The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official birthday of the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who was one of the main proponents of this initiative.
The event on 05 December 2020 began with prayer led by Mrs Stella and team. Dr B.C. Hanumanthaswamy, Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shimoga explained the purpose of the programme and welcomed the dignitaries and the participants. Dr M Hanumanthappa, Director of Research, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shimoga inaugurated the programme. Dr K.C. Shashidhar, Director of Extension, UAHS, Shimoga presided over the programme. Dr S. U. Patil, Associate Director of Extension, UAHS, Shimoga, Dr Kiran Kumar, Joint Director Agriculture Department, Shimoga and Rev. Fr Clifford Roshan Pinto, Director, SMSSS, Shimoga were the chief guests. Dr. Sarvajna B. Salimath, Assistant Professor, Soil Science, UAHS, Shimoga was the resource person. Ms M. V. Rekha, Scientist, Soil Science, UAHS, Shimoga compered the programme. 65 farmers both men and women from different parts of Shimoga participated in the programme.
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