Bhubaneswar: The importance of soil as “the living pulse of our planet, the foundation that sustains all life” was highlighted today at the State-level World Soil Day celebration held at Krushi Bhawan.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment joined the global observance under this year’s theme, Healthy Soil for a Healthy City, emphasizing the crucial role soils play in mitigating global warming and sustaining the environment.
Deputy Chief Minister, Shri K V Singh Deo, gave a clarion call to “honour, cherish, and protect this precious resource, giving back to the Earth that continually nurtures us.” The Deputy Chief Minister distributed Soil Health Cards to farmers and released the Rabi Campaign 2025-26 booklet during the event.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, stressed the “vital link between healthy soils and a healthy planet.”
The celebration saw the gracious presence of Shri Subrat Kumar Panda, Director Soil Conservation and Watershed Management, and Shri Shubham Saxena, Director Agriculture & Food Production.
Following the main event, a technical session was conducted. The observance marked a significant effort to raise awareness about the necessity of protecting soil for environmental and human well-being.