Launch Event of ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ Organised by ICAR & KVK Ri Bhoi

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ri Bhoi, in collaboration with ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, launched the month-long national flagship programme "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" on 1st June 2026 which will continue from 1 to 30 June 2026 at a well-attended event marking a renewed emphasis on soil conservation and sustainable agriculture.

The launch was graced by Dr G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Mr Rodonald Majaw (Project Manager, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency), and community leaders including Shri. Duruth Majaw (State President, Kisan Morcha), Shri Richard Lyngdoh (President, Kisan Morcha, Umroi) and Shri Donlang Nongbri (State General Secretary, Kisan Morcha).

All the speakers during the launched of the Campaign lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Vision for safeguarding national soils and endorsed the campaign’s objectives.

Following the launch, the KVK conducted a focused training programme titled "Training Programme on Green Manuring and Natural Farming for Sustainable Soil Health," which brought together 120 farmers from Ri Bhoi District 87 women and 33 men. The hands-on session combined classroom briefings with field demonstrations to equip participants with low-cost, science-backed practices that restore soil fertility, increase organic matter and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.

Before launching Trainers emphasized green manuring — growing specific legumes and fast-growing cover crops such as sunhemp, dhaincha and cluster bean — and incorporating them into soil to fix atmospheric nitrogen, enhance soil structure and boost microbial activity. Practical modules covered crop selection, sowing windows, biomass incorporation, and management to maximize nutrient release and minimize nutrient losses.

Natural farming components focused on on-farm inputs and ecological approaches: preparing and applying compost, Jeevamrit, and fermented plant extracts; reducing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; and adopting crop rotations and intercropping to break pest cycles and improve resilience. Sessions highlighted how these methods increase water retention, reduce erosion on Ri Bhoi’s slopes, and raise long-term productivity.

Participants expressed optimism, citing immediate applicability and reduced input costs. KVK officials committed to follow-up field visits, demonstration plots and advisory support throughout June’s campaign to convert training into sustained practice. The programme aims to scale these techniques across the district, strengthening livelihoods while conserving precious soil resources. At the end all the public representative endorsed to percolate the campaign on soil health management to save for the future generation.

(Source: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya)