ICAR-CIWA celebrated the World Soil Day-2025

ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar celebrated World Soil Day 2025 on 5th December 2025 with the global theme ‘Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.’ The programme aimed to create awareness among farm workers about the importance of soil health in ensuring sustainable agricultural production and environmental stability, particularly in the rapidly expanding urban and peri-urban landscapes. The event began with an address by Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, who sensitized the gathering about the significance of observing World Soil Day and the need to protect soil-the most fundamental natural resource for agriculture and human wellbeing. She emphasized the importance of Soil Health Cards, balanced nutrient management, and sustainable crop production practices, highlighting how these approaches support soil fertility, enhance productivity, and contribute to long-term ecological balance.
As part of the programme, the participants were provided with hands-on demonstrations on the scientific method of collecting a representative soil sample from the field, followed by a practical session on the rapid assessment of basic soil chemical properties such as pH and electrical conductivity (EC) using a portable soil testing kit. These demonstrations helped the farm workers understand how timely and accurate soil testing can guide the judicious application of nutrients and improve soil health management. The gathering was further sensitized about the growing importance of healthy soils in urban areas, where increasing pressure on land demands sustainable practices to maintain productivity and resilience. The programme highlighted how healthy soils contribute to improved crop yields, reduced environmental degradation, and better livelihood opportunities for urban and peri-urban farmers.
The celebration concluded with a call to adopt soil-friendly and climate-resilient farming practices for conserving soil resources for future generations. The event successfully reinforced the message that soil health is central to sustainable development and that collective efforts are essential to protect this precious resource. The programme was successfully organized by Dr. Ankita Sahu, Scientist from ICAR-CIWA.