Due to increase in population and limited natural resources, there is an emerging need to recycle organic residues to sustain soil resources for sustainable agricultural production and make the soil more resilient to prevent degradation. An appropriate step towards natural resource management, realization of the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and also for smooth functioning of ecosystem services is the need of the hour.
A three-day National conference on “Organic Waste Management for Food and Environmental Security” was jointly organized by ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Bhopal and Bhopal Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science.
The National Conference was inaugurated by Shri Biswas Sarang, Minister of Co-operation, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation (Independent Charges), Panchayat and Rural Development, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh. In his inaugural address Shri Sarang said that ensuring food and environment security is of paramount importance on account of burgeoning population and limited natural resources.
There is an emerging need to recycle organic residues to sustain soil resources for sustainable agricultural production and make the soil more resilient to prevent degradation. He emphasized this conference is an appropriate step towards natural resource management, realization the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and also for smooth functioning of ecosystem services.
He also pointed that the deliberations by galaxy of soil scientists, researchers students, farmers, industrialists and NGO’s will certainly bring out the improved knowledge and the state-of- art technologies in recycling of crop residues and solve mounting problem of municipal solid wastes management in the country.
Earlier, Dr S.S. Khanna, Former Vice Chancellor, Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology, Faizabad and Advisor of erstwhile Planning Commission told that the disposal of untreated municipal wastes may contaminate the soil and water, while the burning of crop residues may lead to emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), global warming, lower biological activities of the soil, accelerating soil erosion and ultimately reducing the productivity of the soil.
About 679 million tonnes of crop residues are produced in India but for the want of proper management, a large part of it (90-140 million tonne) is burnt out to clear the field. There is an urgent need for developing appropriate technologies to present burning of crop residues.
Dr A. K. Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, RVSKVV, Gwalior stated the residues emanating from agriculture crops are huge and important resource for improvement of soil carbon, nutrients, and resource use efficiency provided they are managed properly, reduced and reused scientifically.
Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Assistant Director General (S&WM), ICAR, New Delhi said the scientific treatment and decomposition of these organic wastes may convert these resources for enhancing the productivity of soil resources. The NRM Division of the ICAR is making multiple efforts for recycling management of the crop residues for overall improvement of soil health through various research projects.
Dr. A.K Patra, Chairman, Organising Committee & Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal briefed the achievements of the institute and also different missions of the Government for soil health, Swachh Bharat and doubling farmers’ income etc. He also pointed out that concerted efforts are required for organic waste management for overall improvement of soil health and environmental quality.
During the conference, about 250 delegates participated. There were 6 technical sessions, where 26 lead and invited papers related to the themes of the Conference were presented.
Chander Mohan
Krishi Jagran
