On November 4, 2024, Don Bosco Tech, Thakurmunda hosted a truly captivating and enriching guest lecture designed exclusively for Batch 4 of Organic Growers. The session featured an insightful address by Mrs. Namita Rout, a highly regarded Field Officer with the Odisha Forestry Sector Development (OFSD), who shared her expertise on the future of sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

The event kicked off with an enthusiastic introduction by domain trainer Mr. Abhimanyu Behera, who warmly welcomed Mrs. Rout. Known for her depth of knowledge in sustainable agriculture, she dived into a riveting talk that underscored the essential role of soil health as the foundation of organic farming. She stressed that nurturing a “living soil” rich in organic matter, beneficial microorganisms, and fungi was crucial for sustaining soil fertility. This, she explained, wasn’t merely about farming—it was about cultivating a healthy ecosystem beneath our feet.

Mrs. Rout introduced attendees to innovative, hands-on practices like cover cropping, composting, and crop rotation, underscoring how these techniques could naturally enhance soil structure and fertility over time. She emphasized the power of biodiversity, advocating for diverse crop cultivation to reduce pests and disease naturally. One of the session's highlights was her discussion on companion planting and intercropping—smart, resource-efficient techniques that harness natural pest control, protect crops, and enrich the farming ecosystem.

Going beyond the basics, Mrs. Rout captivated the audience by demonstrating the advantages of organic inputs and natural fertilizers. She called for a strong move away from synthetic chemicals, instead promoting the use of beneficial insects and advocating techniques like vermi-composting, jeewamrit, and herbal sprays. Her insights into these practices gave trainees actionable steps to elevate crop quality while safeguarding soil and environmental health.

As she concluded, Mrs. Rout delved into the importance of government schemes designed to support organic farming, providing practical advice on accessing these resources. The session wrapped up with an engaging Q&A, where Mrs. Rout took time to respond thoughtfully to a flurry of questions, each answer reinforcing her call to embrace sustainable, organic methods over chemical-laden modern farming practices.

The event closed with a warm vote of thanks from Support Domain Trainer Mrs. Rasmita Behera, who expressed deep appreciation for Mrs. Rout's invaluable contribution and her dedication to empowering the next generation of organic farmers.