World soil day 2025

ICAR- Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), Coimbatore Celebrated World Soil Day on 02^nd December 2025 at Manalurpettai, Kallakurichi District in collaboration with Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd. (BASL), Unit V, Tirukoilur.  Mr R. Srimirabalnath, Manager (Cane), BASL, Unit V, welcomed the farmers and the dignitaries. Dr.V Kasthuri Thilagam, Senior Scientist, ICAR-SBI briefed the history and importance of celebrating World Soil Day and explained the theme of World Soil Day 2025, Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities. On the occasion, Dr A. Vennila, Principal Scientist, ICAR-SBI delivered the lecture on “Soil Health Management” and also brought out the role of soil organic matter in managing soil health. She also explained the ways to improve soil organic matter by efficiently mobilizing resources within the farm.  Dr C. Palaniswami, Principal Scientist, ICAR-SBI in his address emphasized the importance and necessity of adopting sustainable sugarcane production practices. During the occasion, four farmers were bestowed with ‘Best Farmer Awards’ for adopting best practices for sustainable soil health management in sugarcane cultivation. The awardees were Mr V. Palani and Mr P. Kirubakaran, registered farmers of BASL, Unit IV, and Mr P. Anbu and Mr K. Kathavarayan, registered farmers of BASL, Unit V. Mr T. Shanmughasundharan, Vice President, BASL, Unit IV felicitated the award winners. Brochures entitled “மண்வளத்தை மேம்படுத்த கரும்பில் ஊடுபயிர் சாகுபடி and மண் மற்றும் நீர் மாதிரிகள் சேகரிக்கும் முறை” were distributed to all the farmers and the cane official participated in the World Soil Day programme. During the occasion, Soil Health Cards prepared with nutrient status of the soil tested and fertiliser recommendations for achieving 125 t ha^-1 sugarcane yield by ICAR-SBI were distributed to the farmers by Mr R. Srihari, Vice President, BASL, Unit V. Dr. V Kasthuri Thilagam explained and demonstrated the procedure for collecting representative soil samples and also how to use the soil health card. Dr S. Mohan, AGM (Cane Development), Bannari Amman Sugars Ltd. detailed the Bannari bioproducts (organic inputs) available with BASL to improve soil health and sugarcane yield. Farmers also interacted with ICAR-SBI scientists regarding trash decomposition, intercropping, drip fertigation, and integrated nutrient management in sugarcane. About 120 participants including farmers of Tiruvannamalai and Tirukoilur districts and cane field staff under BASL Unit IV and Unit V actively participated in the World Soil Day 2025 celebrations. The programme came to an end with the vote of thanks by Dr. V Kasthuri Thilagam.