Knowledge needs to be transferred from lab to land to improve soil health, aver experts during a webinar

Ch. Satbir Singh, a Progressive Farmer from Haryana is struggling with soil degradation and is concerned to keep soil healthy. He is witnessing depleting soil organic matter & declining crop yields. He stated that government should prioritize soil health protection policy to sustain food production and to keep soil healthy. Giving voice to the farming community, he stressed on the need for transfer of knowledge from lab to land to improve soil health by educating farmers.   
 
Taking this initiative forward, a panel discussion on “Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life” was organized by Amity University under the aegis of “Amity Global Research Hub (AGRH)”. The discussion was held to commemorate World Soil Day and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystem & human well-being.  
  
The galaxy of experts addressed the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil biodiversity loss, increasing soil productivity and encouraging governments, organizations, communities and individuals around the world to commit proactively into improving soil health.   
 
Dr. Aseem Chauhan, Chancellor, Amity University stated that the agriculture sector is witnessing significant movement and Agri-Tech can produce several billion-dollar start-ups in India. He also emphasized on the significance of soil health and opined that soil health is no inferior than human health and shall be monitored and nurtured sincerely.   
 
Prof. Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science & Director, Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, Past President, International Union of Soil Sciences, The Ohio State University, USA shared the significance of World Soil Day celebrated globally on December 5. He advocated use of premium soils with best scientific principles and leave the marginal soils for nature. He averred that soil is also a bridge for the future where the sustainable development goals are met. Prof. Lal further added that the goal of climate smart agriculture is how to make soil and agriculture a sink of atmospheric carbon.  
 
Dr. Howarth Bouis, Founding Director of Harvest Plus & Emeritus Fellow at International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC, USA focused his talk on mineral and vitamin deficiencies in human populations and how agriculture, soils, and fertilizers can contribute to healthier diets to reduce this form of malnutrition often called as “Hidden Hunger.”  
Dr. A.K. Patra, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Sciences, Bhopal accentuated the need for protecting the soil biodiversity by maintaining soil health.  He commented that a healthy soil is key factor to attain healthy food, clean air and water for the human well-being. He further stated that increasing soil pollution is an emerging threat to agriculture. 
   
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director, ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management (NIASM), Baramati, Pune, Maharashtra interlinked soil management with climate change and emphasized that soil has the capacity to mitigate GHG emissions.   
 
Dr.  Deborah Aller, Agricultural Stewardship Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Riverhead, New York, USA explained the role of cover crops in maintaining the soil biodiversity with the help of several case studies at Long Islands, New York. She stressed on the need for using several practices together to improve & maintain soil health.   
 
Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, Amity Centre for Soil Sciences, Amity University, Noida explained the linkage between soil-plant-animal and human health.  
 
Dr. W. Selvamurthy, President, Amity Science, Technology and Innovation Foundation (ASTIF) and Chancellor, Amity University Chhattisgarh talked about how Amity University has focused on Post-Harvest, Agri-business to give farmers the best of returns along with a slew of academic programmes. On behalf of Founder President Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, he also announced, “Amity Global Network of Soil Science Research” and invited all panelists and scientists working across the globe to join this network.  
 
Dr. Nutan Kaushik, Director-General, Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation, Noida explained the significance of World Soil Day and this year’s campaign "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity" and highlighted various research activities on soil at Amity University across the country.