Interdepartmental Seminar Report for 6th April, 2024

At the beginning of the session, Ms. Sumana Balo, Asst. Prof., Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry welcomed the Dean, School of Agriculture, the faculty members, students and invited our esteemed speaker Dr. Suman G Sahu Asst. Prof., Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry on the dais for giving her talk on the topic “Soils are back on Global Agenda”. The presentation with clear understanding and educating the audience was highly appreciated by all the staffs present over there. Students also took part actively in the discussion forum.
The speaker mentioned about advanced technology adopting soil conservation parameters along with environmental protection. The speaker gave a brief description of the importance of precision soil monitoring using sensors and advanced analytics, as demonstrated by startups like Plantobelly and Databaum. These technologies provide real-time data on soil moisture, salinity, and other key indicators, enabling farmers to make informed decisions for optimal soil management. Moreover, the incorporation of artificial soil formation techniques such as hydroponics by BluKhet revealed sustainable alternatives to traditional farming practices, reducing water consumption and enhancing crop yields in controlled environments. She highlighted the critical role of innovation in addressing soil compaction, degradation, and erosion in modern agriculture. Combination of organic alternatives, smart technologies, and bioinoculants, the agricultural industry is moving towards more sustainable practices that prioritize soil health, carbon sequestration, and environmental sustainability. At the end, the vote of thanks was given by Ms. Sumana Balo who concluded the session about various innovative solutions and technologies in agriculture which are important mainly focusing on soil health, erosion prevention, and sustainable farming practices. Startups are at the forefront of developing smart irrigation systems, bioinoculants for soil enhancement, and organic alternatives like worm castings. Additionally, there is a significant emphasis on soil monitoring using precision sensors and AI-driven platforms.

Interdepartmental seminar delivered by Dr. Suman G Sahu held on 06.04.2024