A one-day training programme on “Soil Health Management & Strategies for Management of Salt-Affected Soils” was successfully organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), FIAC – Karayamputhur, Puducherry, at the Aurokrishi Training Centre, Matrikunj, Poothurai, on 4 July 2026. The programme aimed to strengthen farmers’ understanding of sustainable soil management practices and equip them with practical techniques for reclaiming and improving salt-affected soils through natural and organic farming methods. By promoting ecological approaches to agriculture, the initiative sought to enhance soil fertility, improve crop productivity, and encourage long-term environmental sustainability.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Shri Vinoth Kannan, Agricultural Officer, FIAC – Karayamputhur, who emphasised the critical importance of healthy soil as the foundation of sustainable agriculture. He highlighted the growing challenges posed by soil salinity and stressed the need for adopting scientific, environmentally responsible farming practices to restore soil productivity while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
Shri P. R. Srinivasamurthy, Project Director, Aurokrishi, introduced the participants to Aurokrishi’s mission and vision of promoting Natural and Conscious Farming. He explained how the organisation is committed to encouraging farming systems that restore ecological balance, reduce dependence on synthetic petrochemical inputs, and foster sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both farmers and the environment.
The technical sessions began with Shri Baburam, Chief Advisor, Aurokrishi, who shared valuable insights into organic farming practices and the role of bio-inputs in rehabilitating salt-affected soils. He explained how the regular application of organic manures, beneficial microbial cultures, and bio-enhancers improves soil structure, enhances microbial activity, restores soil fertility, and gradually transforms degraded land into productive agricultural fields. His session highlighted the long-term benefits of adopting nature-based farming solutions for resilient and sustainable agriculture.
This was followed by an informative technical presentation by Shri Raja Ganesh, Training Coordinator, Aurokrishi, on Soil Health Management and Strategies for Managing Salt-Affected Soils. Using a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation, he explained the principles of soil health management, balanced crop nutrition, sustainable fertility management, and the effective utilisation of locally available natural resources. He also discussed practical approaches to improving soil productivity while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers and petrochemical-based agricultural inputs, thereby promoting environmentally sustainable cultivation practices.
To complement the theoretical sessions, Shri Alex, Farm Manager, and Shri Manimaran, Farm Coordinator, Aurokrishi, conducted live demonstrations on the preparation and application of natural farming inputs, including Jeevamirtham, Amirthakaraisal, and Amrithametti. Participants received hands-on training on the preparation, application, and integration of these organic formulations into their farming systems. The demonstrations provided practical knowledge that farmers could readily adopt to enhance soil fertility, improve crop health, reduce cultivation costs, and restore ecological balance in their fields.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion and feedback session, during which participants actively shared their experiences, sought clarification on technical aspects, and appreciated the practical demonstrations and expert guidance provided by the resource persons. The engaging discussions reflected the participants’ keen interest in adopting sustainable agricultural practices and highlighted the relevance of natural farming in addressing contemporary soil management challenges.
Overall, the training programme significantly enhanced participants’ knowledge of soil health management and sustainable farming practices. It inspired farmers to embrace eco-friendly techniques for reclaiming salt-affected soils, improving agricultural productivity, and contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of farming systems.
