Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: A one-day awareness and technical programme on “Soil Health Management in Sunflower Cultivation for Optimizing Productivity and Oil Content in Manipur” was jointly organised by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal and Manipur Seva Samiti on Saturday at Bhaskar Prabha Centre, Konjeng Leikai, Imphal West. Farmers, students, and agricultural practitioners from Konjeng Leikai attended the event.
The workshop aimed to boost awareness about soil health, scientific soil sampling, proper testing, and improved cultivation practices to increase sunflower yield and oil content across the state. Resource persons included Prof. Thokchom Robindro Singh, former Deputy Director, CAU; Laishram Jatra Singh; and Dr. Birendrajit Singh (Extension), CAU. Experts stressed the importance of soil testing before crop cultivation and highlighted scientific methods of soil collection and preparation as prescribed by CAU.
Dr. Birendrajit Singh noted that continuous, improper cultivation without understanding soil health leads to long-term degradation. Soil testing helps identify nutrient deficiencies, assess crop suitability, and determine needed inputs. He recommended testing every three years for sustainable farming. Speakers cautioned against excessive use of chemical fertilisers, especially urea, which can increase nitrate levels in soil and water, posing health risks like blue baby syndrome. Maintaining soil health is crucial for crop productivity, water conservation, and environmental balance.
During the technical session, participants learned proper soil sampling techniques: zig-zag pattern, avoiding field edges, multiple locations, 15-20 cm depth, drying and mixing soil for accurate testing. The programme ended with an interactive discussion, where participants asked questions on soil management and sustainable practices. Organisers hope the event will promote scientific farming and improve sunflower cultivation in Manipur.
