National conference on 'Healthy Earth' at Patanjali University: NABARD-Patanjali collaboration to promote organic farming

image credits(abplive)

Haridwar: A two-day National Conference on ‘Sustainable Cultivation of Quality Medicinal Plants through Soil Health Monitoring and Management’ was held at Patanjali University. The conference was held on 27 and 28 October. The program was organized under the ‘Swastha Dhara’ (Healthy Earth) campaign in association with Ministry of AYUSH, Patanjali Organic Research Institute, RCSCNR-1, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Bharuva Agri Science. (Patanjali News)

Significance of NABARD-Patanjali partnership

The chief guest of the program and chairman of NABARD Shaji K. V. He said that the collaboration with Patanjali is very important. He said, “NABARD’s objective is to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development in the country. This collaboration with Patanjali can carry out creative work more effectively.” He highlighted the adverse impact of monoculture farming on soil fertility and biodiversity, explaining the importance of this year towards the goal of Developed India 2027.

“Agriculture is safe if man is healthy” – Acharya Balakrishna

At the event, Patanjali University Vice-Chancellor Acharya Balakrishna said, “Protection of human health is possible only through crop protection.” He called for correcting the “original wrong” and returning the soil to its original form. He emphasized that soil management for a “healthy earth” is the need of the day and revitalization of this universal and inherent wealth is essential.

‘Dharti Ka Doctor’ became the topic of discussion

The highlight of the conference was Patanjali’s automated soil testing system – ‘Dharti Ka Doctor’ (DKD). Acharya Balakrishna said that this system accurately monitors elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, organic carbon and electrical conductivity in just half an hour. Director of Bharuva Agri Science Dr. K. N. Sharma said that this system helps farmers to meet the challenges of high quality farming. Two books ‘Swasth Dhara’ and “Medicinal Plants : International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries” were released on the occasion.