One month In-plant training programme on 'Soil and Water Conservation and Watershed Management' for B. Tech (Agril. Engg.) students has been inaugurated on 01.09.2023 by ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Research Centre, Ballari. The training programme is for one month duration scheduled from 01.09.2023 to 30.09.2023. A total of 18 B.Tech students from different colleges registered for the training, and are attending the programme.

The students from three different collages i.e. Dr. NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh (8 Students), Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Talsande, Maharashtra (7 students) and Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, Maharashtra (3 students) are attending the one month in-plant training programme. Dr. B.S.Naik, Principal Scientist (SWC. Engg.) and Course Coordinator welcomed the Guest and briefed about the training course which was followed by lighting of lamp and ICAR song. Dr. M. Prabhavathi, Acting Head and Course Director addressed the students on the need of hands on training and practical knowledge about soil and water conservation and watershed management. The chief guest for the inaguaral function was Dr. Kengegowda, Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA), Ballari and he motivated the students for conserving natural resource particularly soil and water important for existence of life.

He also sensitized the student about problems of land degradation and briefly explained about the concept of watershed and its importance in soil and water conservation. The programme was attended by Course Co-Coordinators Dr. Ravi Dupdal, Sr. Scientist (Agril. Econ.) and Dr. M. N. Ramesha, Scientist (Forestry) along with all the staff of the Centre. The one month summer training programme has been scheduled to cover all the relevant topics of watershed management, soil and water conservation measures, soil erosion and its control measures, economics of soil and water conservation, Agroforestry and horticulture and its importance, use of Remote sensing, GIS and GPS , climate change and PRA tools, community organization and institutional development etc. to be taught by the Centre's Scientists, experts from other institutes. The programme ended by the formal vote of thanks by Dr. Ravi Dupdal, Sr. Scientist (Agril.Econ.) and Course Co-Coordinator, ICAR-IISWC, RC, Ballari.