A Report on World Soil Day

Celebration under MKSP

2015

Submitted By:

Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society

State Rural Livelihood Mission

Vidyut Bhawan, Bailey Road

Patna- 800001

5/12/2015

Background:

Bihar Rural livelihood Promotion Society is implementing Mahila Kisaan Sashktikaran

Pariyojana in 15 blocks of 9 districts with an objective to enhance the income and agriculture

productivity of women farmers through comprehensive agriculture interventions.

Agriculture interventions under MKSP is highly focussed on sustainable agriculture practices

which have been disseminated among target project beneficiaries with the aim to reduce cost

of cultivation and maintain fertility of soil.

Sustainable agriculture practices like use of organic fertilizers, integrated pest management,

system of root intensification, mix/inter cropping, etc & irrigation practices are major

components under soil management. Jeevika is promoting the use of Jeevamrut,

Ghanjeevamrut, beejamrut, Neem solution, Ginger-Garlic solution, butter milk solutions,

vermicompost etc to the farmers under organic cultivation methods.

The 68th

UN general assembly has declared year 2015 as international year of soil and 5th

December is declared as international day of soil which aims to create full awareness in the

society on the importance of sustainable soil management. Keeping this in view Jeevika

celebrated international day of soil on 5th

Dec with the project beneficiaries.

Highlights on the Programme:

Soil day was celebrated in 6 blocks of 5 districts under MKSP and 33 blocks of 9

districts,other than MKSP. The program was accomplished with an awareness rally,

orientation & exposure to the field. The main objective behind the whole program was to

aware the women farmers on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for sustainable

soil management.

The program specifications under MKSP are:

Major activities undertaken:

Rally March: It was aimed to create awareness among community on the importance of

sustainable management of soil. Women farmers along with BPIU staffs participated actively

in the rally. They raised the voice against the excessive use of chemical fertilizers &

pesticides and favoured to apply organic ingredients like Jeevamrut, Ghanjeevamrut, Neem

solution and vermicompost in the field.

District Block CLF No of participant

Muzaffarpur Kudhani Azaad 104

Nalanda Nagarnausa, Muskaan, Tina,Ekta 122

Rahui Manokamna 88

Gaya Amas Ekta 110

Saharsa Sonbarsa Janseva 96

Madhubani Pandaul Adarsh 116

Orientation program: Women farmers were briefly introduced about the soil nutrients, its

importance in maintaining food security and better soil management practices.

It was tried to cover the following topics in a very short duration:

Why soil day

Soil as a supporting medium for all the life on this Planet.

Excessive uses of fertilizers replenish the nutrient pool of Soil.

Use of Organic manures and ZBNF to enhance the Soil health.

Need of Soil health Card.

Method of Soil Sampling.

Orientation was given by LH Managers from the concerned districts, Livelihood Specialist,

Expert CRPs and officials from the KVK and agriculture department.

Rally March in Kudhani, Muzaffarpur

Videos dissemination on organic ingredients was one of the important tool used under

orientation programme. Women farmers were shown the videos on neem solution, Jeevamrit,

Ghanjeevamrit & Vermicompost preparation. These videos are locally made

Demonstration: Organic ingredients were kept in display and its preparation was also

demonstrated of 1 or 2 ingredients.

The participants were also taken to the field for demonstrating soil sampling methods and

were oriented on the importance of soil testing.

CRP Sunita Devi from Pandaul, Madhubani District sharing her experience on organic

farming in vegetable

Video dissemination on preparation of Jeevamrit in Block

Kumarkhand,Dist:Madhepura

Convergence: Access to agriculture schemes and benefits is still a biggest challenge for

small & marginal farmers. So, convergence has been kept on priority under MKSP. On the

soil day, SHG members from Rahui and Harnaut participated in the program organized by the

KVK, Harnaut on soil health card distribution in Nalanda district. 50 women farmers from

the block received the soil health card and 35 farmers were felicitated for the seed production

work.

Display of organic ingredients: Brahmastra, Dasparni,Agneastra,Jeevamrit,

Ghanjeevamrit & Organic vegetables in Block-Sonbarsa,Dist: Saharsa

Visit to farmer’s field for soil sample in Block Amas, Dist - Gaya

Conclusion:

It was found to be a very effective program and urged by farmers to celebrate every year. It

not only motivated farmers to move towards organic farming but also brought the farmers

and government officials on the same platform. It was denoted from the agriculture

departments to help the farmers with the access to better agriculture schemes.

Women Farmers participated in soil health card distribution program, organized by KVK in

Harnaut on soil day

Photographs:

Media coverage of soil day rally march in

kudhani muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur

MKSP orientation in Sonbarsa, Saharsa

Soil day celebration in block

Nagarnausa, Nalanda

Soil day celebration in block Alouli,

Khagaria

Media coverage of soil day in Block Harnaut, Nalanda