ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai celebrated 41st DARE-ICAR-CIRCOT public awareness campaign under India @75 with Sensitization Programme on the Balanced and Effective use of Fertilizers on 21.06.2022.

ICAR-CIRCOT organized a series of two events on 21st June, 2022 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India @75 mass awareness campaigns for sensitization on the balanced and effective use of fertilizers. The first event was a field demo at ICAR-CIRCOT’s premises on “Benefits of composting” by Dr. N. Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Dr. Charlene D’souza, STO. They explained the composting process and also highlighted the benefits and applications of compost such as improving soil health, enhancing water holding capacity of soil, mushroom cultivation and many others. They also discussed the ICAR-CIRCOT’s technology for compost production and highlighted the role of composting in reducing environmental pollution.

Demonstration on “Benefits of composting” by Dr. N. Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Dr. C. D’souza, S.T.O Second event was a Hindi Webinar on “Balanced and Efficient Use of Fertilizers with special reference to ICAR-CIRCOT Nano fertilizer and Cotton Stalk compost”. All other scientists/technical staff at the headquarter joined the webinar in the offline mode. In the welcome address speech, Dr. Sujata Saxena, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai gave an overview of the technologies developed by ICAR-CIRCOT and highlighted the importance of today’s webinar for sensitization of audience about balanced fertilizer use. For sensitizing the audience regarding balanced use of fertilizers, Dr. A.K. Bharimalla, Dr. Manoj Mahawar and Dr. Jyoti Dhakane gave a lecture on the topic “Applications and future prospects of nano-fertilizers in agriculture” with special reference to nanotechnology work of ICAR-CIRCOT. Dr. Manoj Mahawar, Scientist explained in detail the importance of fertilizers in bringing green revolution and also discussed the problems associated with over-use of fertilizers. In the lecture by Dr. Ajinath Dukare on “Biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture” and “Bioenriched cotton stalk compost”. He explained in detail about different types of biofertilizers, their advantages, mode of application and the beneficial microbial strains that are involved in nitrogen fixing, phosphorus solubilization and potassium mobilization. He also explained the ICAR-CIRCOT’s composting technology and discussed the environmental and economical benefits of cotton stalk compost.

Hindi Webinar on “Balanced and Efficient Use of Fertilizers in a hybrid mode on 21.06.2022 at ICAR-CIRCOT Dr. K.P. Patel, Former Principal and Dean, Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat highlighted the current agricultural scenario in India and explained how excessive use of fertilizers is harming soil. He emphasized that the use of fertilizers should be customized according to soil type, crop type and climate because of different requirements. He also stressed upon the use of right fertilizer at right rate, right time and at the right place (4 R) and emphasized the monitoring of soil health before fertilizer application. The lectures were followed by vibrant question and answer session where audience asked the questions from the speakers.

The webinar was attended by more than 120 participants including 70 farmers, former Directors and HoDs of ICAR institutes, project coordinators, Scientists of various ICAR institutes, incubatees, institute staff from Headquarter, Ginning Training Centre, Nagpur and other regional units.