Bhopal recently hosted an international conference themed “Regenerative Agriculture for Improving Soil Health, Enhancing Carbon Sequestration, and Building Climate Resilience,” coinciding with World Soil Day. The event, jointly organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR-IISS) and Solidaridad, brought together over 300 delegates, including agricultural scientists, soil experts, farmers, students, and policymakers, at the ICAR auditorium.
Celebrating World Soil Day with a Vision
ICAR-IISS, a recipient of the FAO King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award, celebrated the day with the theme “Caring the Soils: Measure, Monitor, and Manage.” Activities included school outreach programs, essay and drawing competitions on “Healthy Soils for Healthy Life,” and a march-past to promote public awareness.
“Healthy soil fosters a healthy diet, ensuring healthy people, ecosystems, and planetary processes,” Prof. Lal stated, advocating for conservation agriculture, balanced nutrient application, and crop-tree-livestock integration to mitigate climate impacts.
Dr. Rattan Lal, Padma Shri awardee and World Food Prize Laureate, served as the keynote speaker, emphasizing a 10-pronged strategy for soil and environmental health. He linked healthy soils to better nutrition, climate resilience, and global peace. Highlighting “Agriculture 4.0,” he advocated precision farming and AI-driven agricultural transformations to address over-reliance on fertilizers and pesticides.
Soil Science at the Core of Sustainability and Innovations in Regenerative Practices
Dr. S.P. Datta, Director of ICAR-IISS, acknowledged the transformative role of the Green Revolution while expressing concerns over the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. He emphasized soil as the origin of life and the foundation of civilization. He advocated for restoring soil health as a shared responsibility to ensure humanity’s prosperity and ecological balance. He introduced regenerative practices, including vermicomposting and bio-input innovations, as key to reducing chemical dependencies. He introduced innovative IISS solutions such as vermicomposting, decomposition capsules, gluconite, and rock phosphate, aimed at reducing dependency on chemical inputs.
Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhyay, Managing Director of Solidaridad Asia, shared insights into the organization’s regenerative agriculture initiatives. He announced the development of an Alphabets Book dedicated to simplifying regenerative farming concepts for broader audiences and unveiled Solidaridad’s global strategy for balanced ecosystems and sustainable supply chains.
Launch of New Publications and Products
The conference also marked the launch of key resources, including Solidaridad’s 2024 Yearbook on Regenerative Agricultural Practices and ICAR-IISS publications. Additionally, the unveiling of Bharatkhand Bio-Input Products aimed at supporting chemical-free farming was a significant highlight.
Focus on Chemical-Free Farming, Launches and Key Outcomes
The event featured the launch of the Solidaridad 2024 Yearbook on Regenerative Agriculture Practices and new bio-input products. With a focus on chemical-free farming, the conference reaffirmed soil conservation as central to a sustainable future. By integrating cutting-edge science and grassroots engagement, the conference underscored the shared commitment to preserving soil for future generations.
Participants explored solutions to modern agricultural challenges, with a shared focus on promoting chemical-free and sustainable farming methods. The diverse gathering underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to build resilience in agriculture amidst climate uncertainties. This landmark event reinforced the global commitment to adopting regenerative practices for improved soil health, carbon sequestration, and a sustainable agricultural future.
