Model Training Course (MTC) on Advances in Soil Health Assessment and Preparation of Soil Health Cards for Enhancing Crop Productivity and Improving Soil Quality December 14-21, 2015 Dr. Sanjay Srivastava Course Director Dr. Pramod Jha Course Co-Director Dr. Brij Lal Lakaria Course Co-Director Sponsored by Directorate of Extension Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India Organized by ICAR - Indian Institute of Soil Science Nabibagh, Berasia Road Bhopal - 462038 (M.P)
Background Soil Health is the capacity of the soil to function to sustain life. A healthy soil can be used productively without adversely affecting its future productivity, the ecosystem or the environment. Soil health emphasizes the integration of biological with chemical and physical measures of soil quality (used synonymously with soil health ) that affect farmers' profits, risks, and the environment. A Soil Health Card contains information on the current status of soil health and, when used over time, can be used to determine changes in soil health that are affected by land management. A Soil Health Card displays soil health indicators and associated descriptive terms. This Card is a tool to help the farmers, extension functionary, researcher and decision makers to monitor and improve the soil health based on their own field experience and working knowledge to maximize the production with scientifically justified use of fertilizers. This model training course gives a full insight of the parameters of soil health and how to prepare a soil health card. The specific objectives of MTC are: Objective 1. To apprise the participants about the concept and parameters of soil health. 2. To apprise the participants on the state-of-the-art methods and techniques of soil health assessment 3. To impart hands on training on the preparation of soil health cards Course Content The event will be conducted in an interactive way by a fifteen minutes slot for discussion after each lecture. Class room topics Module 1: Soil health: Concept and parameters of determination of chemicals, physical, and biological soil health Module 2: Techniques of assessment of soil health parameters and formulation of advisory including nutrient and amendment recommendations Module 3: Use of rapid minilab for the assessment of soil health Module 4: Preparation of soil health cards and their quick dissemination
Demonstrations/hand-on experience, visits and audio-visuals Laboratory estimations of soil health parameters viz., Organic carbon, ph, EC, available N, P, K, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, acidity (lime requirement), and alkalinity (gypsum requirement) Estimations of above soil health parameters by mini lab Mridaparikshak Calculations of fertilizer nutrient requirement based on assessed soil health parameters Field visits to some organic healthy soils Rapid methods of assessment of physical parameters of soil health Eligibility Participants (AO/AAO/AEO/ADA/SMS etc.) from all the concerned developmental departments (Agriculture and Horticulture of states and union territories) engaged in research/extension/training are eligible to attend the course. The total number of participants will be restricted to 20. In case, where participants from ICAR/SAU/KVK attend the MTC, travel expenditure has to be borne by the concerned host department itself. Duration Duration of the Model Training Course (MTC) is 8 days from 14 to 21 December, 2015 (both days inclusive). The participants are expected to arrive at IISS, Bhopal latest by the evening of 13 th Dec 2015 and can leave only after 17:00 HRS on 21 Dec 2015. Application and Registration Interested candidates may send their applications in the prescribed format duly nominated/forwarded by the competent authority to the Course Director, Model Training Course. Advance copy may also be sent provided duly forwarded copy should reach before 20.11.2015.
TA/DA, Boarding and lodging The costs of travelling, boarding and lodging etc., of the selected participants will be provided out of the grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, New Delhi. For the participants from ICAR/SAU/KVK/others, travel expenditure has to be borne by the respective host departments. All participants will be reimbursed the to and fro travel fare for the journey to Bhopal by train or bus by the shortest route. The payment will be made as per their entitlement class of travel, but restricted to the maximum AC-II tier train/bus fare. Air fare will not be allowed. As regards to daily allowance, any participant refusing to avail free boarding and lodging will not be given any cash payment in lieu thereof. He/she can, however, claim DA from their respective Department after getting a certificate to this effect from the institute. Participants are requested not to bring their family members with them, as the institute has only limited accomodation facility. How to Reach IISS Bhopal Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is well connected by rail and roadways to different parts of the country. Participants travelling by train/bus should alight at Bhopal railway station/bhopal bus stand from where auto-rickshaw/taxi can be hired to reach IISS campus located near Karond (Chouraha) on Berasia road (Opposite to Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal) at a distance of 7-8 km from railway station/bus stand. The participants are advised to make their return journey reservations well in advance before leaving for Bhopal. Important Dates Last date for receipt of applications: 20.11.2015 Selection intimation to applicants: 25.11.2015 Confirmation of participation by participants: 30.11.2015
All correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Sanjay Srivastava Principal Scientist & Course Director e-mail: biotite_sri@yahoo.com, sanjays@iiss.res.in Fax: 07552733310, Ph:07552730970 Ext 211 Mobile: 09977655437 Dr. Pramod Jha Senior Scientist & Course Co-Director e-mail: jha_iari@yahoo.com, Mobile: 09630285969 Dr. Brijlal Lakaria Principal Scientist & Course Co-Director e-mail: lakaria2001@gmail.com, Mobile: 09425784480 Dr. Ashok K. Patra Director e-mail: director@iiss.res.in, Phone: 07552730946 Note Application as per the registration form may be typed on good quality A-4 size paper and sent by e-mail or fax or post to any of the above.
Registration Form Application form for participation in the model training course Course on Advances in Soil Health Assessment and Preparation of Soil Health Cards for Enhancing Crop Productivity and Improving Soil Quality Organized by: Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal 1. Name of the Participant (in block letter): 2. Designation: 3. Date of Birth: Sex M/F: 4. Present Employer and Address: 5. Address forcorrespondence: 6. Educational Qualification: 7. Your Expectation fromthe training Date: Place:.. 8. Recommendation of the Forwarding Organization: Signature ofapplicant Signature and office seal: Date: Address: CERTIFICATE This is certified that the nomination was verified with the office record and was found correct. Signature and designation of the authority