Khet Bachao Abhiyan Launched at KVK Howrah: A Collective Drive for Soil Health, Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Prosperity

1 June 2026, Howrah

The nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiya was ceremonially launched with enthusiastic participation at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (BCKV), Howrah, functioning under ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata. The event brought together farmers, administrators, scientists, and extension functionaries, underscoring a shared commitment to soil health conservation and sustainable agricultural development.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Anupam Ghosh, MLA, Jagatballavpur Assembly Constituency, emphasized that safeguarding agricultural land and soil health is essential for ensuring farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and sustainable rural development. He highlighted the importance of increasing farmer awareness, strengthening scientific guidance at the grassroots level, and promoting responsible input use to preserve soil productivity for future generations.

In his message on the occassion, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, stated that Khet Bachao Abhiyan is a vital national initiative linking soil health with food security, farmer prosperity, environmental sustainability, and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He emphasized soil test based balanced use of fertilizer and sustainable practices such as green manuring, vermicompost, and biofertilisers to restore soil health and strengthen resilience. Dr Dey also highlighted the importance of farmer awareness on the Pulses Mission and Oilseeds Mission to promote crop diversification, profitability, and sustainable agricultural development.

Dr. Santosh Kumar Jana, Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA), Howrah, the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Jagatballavpur Block, the Assistant Director of Agriculture (Farm), Uluberia, along with scientists and officials of KVK Howrah also attended the programme. Other dignitaries echoed the need for stronger convergence among departments, scientific extension outreach, and farmer-centric knowledge dissemination to accelerate the adoption of climate-resilient and resource-efficient farming practices. They reiterated that maintaining soil health remains central to agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and long-term rural prosperity.

The campaign aimed to equip farmers with practical, field-based knowledge and actionable advisories to support informed and sustainable agricultural decision-making. Emphasis was placed on balanced fertilizer use, reduced dependence on chemical inputs, and promotion of eco-friendly practices such as green manuring, vermicompost, and biofertilisers to enhance soil health, nutrient efficiency, and farm profitability. Farmers were also sensitized to the importance of soil testing for adopting suitable, location-specific cropping systems.

Information on government initiatives such as the Pulses Mission and Oilseeds Mission as well as kharif advisory was shared to encourage crop diversification, productivity enhancement, and improved livelihood opportunities. The programme fostered meaningful interaction among farmers, scientists, administrators, and extension personnel on sustainable agricultural pathways.

Through the launch of Khet Bachao Abhiyan, KVK Howrah reaffirmed its commitment to promoting science-based advisories and sustainable agriculture at the grassroots.

Sixty farmers representing various locations of Howrah district actively participated in the programme, demonstrating considerable grassroots involvement and interest in the campaign’s objectives.

(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)