ICAR-CIFE Kolkata Centre Organizes Awareness Program on Balanced use of Fertilizers under Khet Bachao Abhiyaan

28 October 2026, Kolkata

An awareness programme was organized under Khet Bachao Abhiyaan at ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education Kolkata Centre today focusing the balanced use of fertilizers for the Rabi season of 2026. The programme witnessed a fruitful interaction with the farmers on different aspects of agriculture, aquaculture and animal husbandry.

Farmers were sensitized on balanced use of chemical fertilizers including use of micronutrients, organic manures, green manuring, vermicompost, mulching, use of drift and sprinkler irrigation and another climate smart resource management techniques.

More emphasis was given on soil test-based fertilizer application before crop sowing and adoption of organic and natural farming to increase the organic carbon of soil. Farmers were made aware about the soil conservation aspects and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practices to ensure and safeguard the beneficial soil microbes which are the main drivers of nutrient transformation and organic matter decomposition.

Besides, farmers were also informed regarding judicious application of pesticides and their safe handling during application along with disposal of empty containers. The awareness programme underscored the importance of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides to promote sustainability.

The farmers were well informed about the integrated fish farming with other components like cattle, poultry, goat etc, where the organic manures from the animal components can be incorporated in fish pond to get maximum profit with low input use.
The farmers actively participated in the discussion by sharing their problems, experience and they expressed their willingness for reduced dependency on chemical fertilizer use and more use of organic manures and biopesticides.

Total 95 participants including farmers from Siwan and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar and students from RDS College Muzaffarpur, Bihar participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre)