Digital Agro-Advisory on Integrated Nutrient Management in Vegetable Crops Promotes Sustainable Productivity and Soil Health under Balanced Fertilizer Use Campaign Organised at ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata

2 May 2026, Nimpith

A digital agro-advisory programme on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in vegetable crops was successfully conducted by Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra Nimpith under the Balanced Fertilizer Use Campaign. The programme was organized in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) mode in collaboration with Reliance Foundation and ICAR Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone V, Kolkata through video conferencing, promoting the integrated use of organic, inorganic, and bio-inputs for sustainable crop productivity and long-term soil health.

The programme brought together Board Members of prominent Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), including Jebika FPC (Pathar Pratima), Alodisa FPO (Kakdwip), Kolpotoru FPO (Namkhana), and Sundarban Krishi Biplab FPO (Canning), along with progressive vegetable growers. The initiative facilitated collective learning and strengthened the dissemination of INM practices through organized farmer institutions.

Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, emphasized that advanced INM is critical for sustaining productivity in intensive vegetable production systems while preserving soil health over the long term. He noted that exclusive reliance on chemical fertilizers is unsustainable and must be complemented with organic inputs such as farmyard manure, compost, crop residues, green manures, and biofertilizers. He further highlighted the importance of soil test-based, site-specific nutrient management integrated with INM to enhance nutrient use efficiency and improve soil quality, and called for policy support to promote balanced nutrient use and wider adoption.

Dr C.K. Mondal, Head, RAKVK, Nimpith, highlighted the proactive role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in promoting INM through location-specific advisories for vegetable crops. He emphasized precise nutrient scheduling, integration of organic resources, and effective recycling of farm residues as key strategies for maintaining soil health.

The experts elaborated on field-level approaches for integrating biofertilizers such as Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) with chemical fertilizers. They explained that such integration enhances nutrient availability and uptake while promoting beneficial microbial activity, thereby supporting ecological balance.

The programme also underscored the strength of public–private collaboration. Amit Sen and Anindya Mondal from Reliance Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to farmer-centric interventions and scaling up sustainable nutrient management practices in vegetable production systems.

A total of 88 Board Members from leading FPOs/FPCs and progressive growers across West Bengal actively participated in the programme.

The initiative served as an effective platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and practical problem-solving. It marked a significant step towards mainstreaming Integrated Nutrient Management, enhancing soil health, improving productivity, and fostering resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

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