Date | 29th August, 2024:
A Plantation Drive using Seed Ball Technique also called natural farming was organized by Horticulture Section, O/o Dean (Infrastructure) in collaboration with the EIACP Programme Centre (RP), Dept. of Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE), IIT(ISM) Dhanbad on Thursday, 29th August 2024.
Prof. B.K. Mishra – Associate Professor, Department of ESE & Member, Environment Advisory Committee, along with Dr. Dhiraj Kumar - Horticulture Officer, Mr. Bishwajit Das - Programme Officer, EIACP Centre (PC-RP), IIT(ISM) Dhanbad and around 35 Research Scholars from the Department of ESE and gardeners, actively participated in this plantation drive using the seed ball technique and contributed in throwing and releasing of 2000 numbers of seed balls on identified patch of land at two locations, namely: Barba and Nirsa Campus of IIT(ISM) in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand State.
These 2000 seed balls were prepared using a mixture of soil, compost and neem cake with a seed pressed in the middle. The different seeds that were used included Mango, Jackfruit, Neem, Bakul, Jamun, etc. All these trees are common to the region and therefore require little maintenance and no special care, thereby promoting a sustainable approach to afforestation, biodiversity and forest ecosystem.
The event was conducted under the esteemed guidance of Prof. Sukumar Mishra - Director, IIT(ISM); Prof. Dheeraj Kumar - Deputy Director, IIT(ISM); Prof. A. R. Dixit - Dean (Infrastructure), IIT(ISM); Prof. Rajni Singh – Dean (Corporate Communications), IIT(ISM); Mr. Prabodh Pandey - Registrar, IIT (ISM) and Prof. Alok Sinha - HOD, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering & Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT(ISM) Dhanbad.
About Seed ball Plantation Technique:
Seed ball plantation technique is a low cost and effective means of fast plantation. Seed ball planting method was developed by a Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka in southern Japan. The technique is considered as a natural method of farming that requires no machines, no chemicals, and minimal weeding, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods.
This method involves encasing seeds in a mixture of common soil and compost, which protects them from drying out under the sun, being eaten by birds and animals, or being blown away by the wind. This protective layer ensures the seeds' viability and enables cultivation without the need for soil preparation.
Seed ball planting is particularly beneficial for re-vegetating degraded lands, remote areas, and regions severely impacted by activities like mining. It also helps in mitigating soil erosion and addressing climate-related risks, such as landslides. By minimizing human intervention, this technique allows natural ecosystems to guide the growth process, leading to more resilient trees, healthier soils, greater plant diversity, and also reduces labour. This method stands out as a sustainable solution, promoting environmental restoration while working in harmony with nature.
Glimpses of Plantation Drive using Seed ball technique (natural farming) under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Campaign, organized on 29th August 2024