The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, along with its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) located in South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman, and Car Nicobar, launched the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the Union Territory Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), A&N Islands.
The campaign has been initiated with the objective of enhancing farmers’ awareness and promoting sustainable agricultural practices through village-level outreach programmes, practical demonstrations, and technical guidance. The major focus areas of the campaign include soil health management through regular soil testing, balanced and efficient fertilizer use, awareness on opportunities under the Pulses, Oilseeds and Cotton Missions, and dissemination of information on various government schemes, subsidies, and support programmes available for farmers.
As part of the initiative, a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared for conducting a series of stakeholder-oriented outreach programmes involving input dealers, members of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), cooperative societies, present and former Sarpanches, Zila Parishad members, community representatives, farm innovators, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), and progressive farmers. These programmes aim to strengthen the dissemination of scientific agricultural knowledge and government initiatives among farming communities across the islands.
The inaugural programme under the campaign was organized at Namunaghar, South Andaman, with the participation of 30 farmers. Scientists from ICAR-CIARI and ICAR-KVK South Andaman, officials from the Department of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and local farmers attended the programme.
During the programme, experts emphasized the importance of soil health management and encouraged farmers to undertake regular soil testing for scientific nutrient management. The participants were sensitized on the benefits of balanced fertilizer application in enhancing crop productivity, reducing cultivation costs, and maintaining long-term soil fertility. Detailed information on various government schemes and agricultural support programmes was also shared with the farmers to improve agricultural production and livelihood opportunities.
The “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” will continue across different villages of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with the aim of reaching a larger farming community and promoting sustainable, climate-resilient, and profitable agriculture through scientific interventions and effective extension services.
(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar)
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