29 June 2026, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
As part of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan, the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, organized an awareness and capacity-building programme on sustainable soil and farm resource management at Tushnabad Village, South Andaman, today.
The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sippighat, the Department of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), South Andaman. It aimed to strengthen farmers' knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices, climate resilience, and efficient natural resource management.
The technical sessions focused on the importance of maintaining soil health as the foundation for sustainable crop production, enhanced climate resilience, and long-term agricultural productivity in the island ecosystem.
Farmers were encouraged to undertake regular soil testing for scientific nutrient management and adopt integrated soil fertility management through the combined use of organic manures, crop residues, biofertilizers, and balanced fertilizer application. Emphasis was also placed on green manuring and legume-based crop diversification to improve soil organic carbon, enhance nutrient recycling, and sustain soil productivity. Participants were sensitized to the preparation and use of indigenous bio-inputs such as Jeevamrut and Neemastra as environmentally sustainable alternatives for improving soil biological activity while reducing dependence on chemical inputs.
As part of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) initiative, farmers were advised to make greater use of weather forecasts and agrometeorological advisories for timely sowing, irrigation scheduling, nutrient management, and pest and disease control, enabling them to minimize weather-related risks and improve farm productivity.
The programme also included technical guidance on scientific pond management practices, highlighting the importance of maintaining optimum water quality, regular pond monitoring, balanced feeding, and disease prevention measures to enhance fish production and sustain pond health.
The interactive sessions provided farmers with an opportunity to discuss challenges related to soil management, weather-based farming, fisheries, and integrated farming systems. Participants appreciated the initiative and expressed their willingness to adopt the recommended technologies to enhance productivity, reduce cultivation costs, and promote environmentally sustainable farming practices.
The programme concluded with an appeal to farmers to adopt science-based, climate-resilient agricultural practices and actively contribute to the conservation of soil and natural resources in line with the objectives of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan, thereby strengthening sustainable agricultural development across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A total of 41 farmers, including 28 men and 13 women, actively participated in the programme.
(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Island)
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