Webinar on the impact of microplastics on soil and potential solutions as part of World Food Day celebration

Webinar on the impact of microplastics on soil and potential solutions as part of World Food Day celebration

16th October 2023, Kolkata

ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARI), Kolkata, in collaboration with Earth Day Network India, organised World Food Day to create awareness among the people about their health and well-being, a webinar on Soil vs. Plastics today wherein experts discussed how microplastics impact soil and agricultural produce and also possible solutions.

Webinar on the impact of microplastics on soil and potential solutions as part of World Food Day celebration  Webinar on the impact of microplastics on soil and potential solutions as part of World Food Day celebration

Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata presented on ‘Soil health, soil and produce quality: How Healthy soil is necessary for healthy produce’. He also proposed a matrix for sustainable plastic-free soil management involving land governance, extension & advisory services, local governance & cooperation, finance & market as well as monitoring and evaluation at all stages, besides summarizing the key takeaways from the webinar.

Dr. Thilo Hofmann, Director, University of Vienna's Environmental Research Network presented his research on ‘Effects of Plastics on Agriculture: Present Scenario and Way Forward’.

Dr. Tapan Adhikar, Head, Environmental Soil Science, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal, presented on ‘Research and Findings on Microplastics in Soil: Indian Scenario’.

Dr. Luca Nizzetto, Senior Research Scientist, Norwegian Institute of Water Research presented on ‘Microplastics in soil—its effects on soil, produce, and human health’.

Dr. Marion Cantillon, Founder, PitSeal and researcher, Teagasc and University College Cork, Ireland presented an ‘Innovative solution that works as a replacement for the plastic used to cover silage pits and help reduce emissions’.

In the beginning, Mr. Monodip Dutt, Senior Representative from EARTHDAY.ORG, welcomed all participants and briefly introduced the topic and importance of the webinar.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)

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