National Level Training Programme on “Integrated Nutrient Management and Nutrient Budgeting through Advanced Models to improve Crop Productivity” inaugurated

18^th January, 2021, Udhagamandalam

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Research Centre, Udhagamandalam has organized the 5-day Department of Science and Technology (DST) sponsored National Level Training Programme on “Integrated Nutrient Management and Nutrient Budgeting through Advanced Models to improve Crop Productivity” from 18^th to 22^nd January, 2021.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr. M. Velayutham, Former Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning, Nagpur, Maharashtra stressed on the need for proper nutrient management in different production systems. He emphasized that the nutrient management varies with high intensive agriculture to plantation crops. Dr. Velayutham accentuated on the need for sustaining soil health by integrating organic manures and by following proper crop rotations.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. D.R. Biswas, Principal Scientist (Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi expressed the concern on nutrient mining which has developed deficiency of many nutrients in Indian Soils. He emphasized that the use of local rock phosphate as nano-fertilisers will save huge money in the country spending as foreign exchange for import of phosphate fertilizer.

Highlighting the importance of Integrated Nutrient Management, Dr. R.S. Yadav, Director, ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun, Uttarakhand emphasized on the need for organizing panel discussions about significance of Integrated Nutrient Management to optimize crop productivity.

Dr. K. Kannan, Head of the Centre stressed on the need for proper fertilizer policy. He also emphasized on the role of Integrated Nutrient Management to improve the crop yield in the country.

The training programme has been designed to acquaint the participants about the latest tools, techniques and models for effective Integrated Nutrient Management (INM training) and Nutrient Budgeting through Advanced Models to improve Crop Productivity.

Around 47 Scientists / Professors holding scientific posts from 12 states of the country are participating in the programme.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Dehradun. Uttarakhand)