ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun Organizes Awareness Programme on Balanced Fertilizer Use for Soil Health Management in Karnataka

27 May 2026, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka

Under the Soil Health Management and Balanced Fertilizer Use component of the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) Programme, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Research Centre, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, organized an awareness-cum-input distribution programme on “Balanced Fertilizer Use for Soil Health Management and Crop Production under Vegetable Cultivation” at Bendarawadi village, Gundlupet Block, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The programme focused on creating awareness among farmers about the importance of balanced fertilizer application and sustainable nutrient management practices for maintaining soil health and enhancing crop productivity. The participants were educated on the benefits of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), the use of biofertilizers, and the incorporation of green manure crops for improving soil fertility and sustaining agricultural production.

During the technical sessions, experts highlighted the adverse effects of excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers on soil health and emphasized the need to adopt INM and other sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers were encouraged to improve soil moisture conservation, maintain soil fertility, and enhance productivity in vegetable crops such as beetroot, tomato, and turmeric, as well as banana cultivation, which are important crops in the region.

The resource persons elaborated on the role of INM in improving plant health, rhizosphere activity, and fertilizer-use efficiency in vegetable production systems. The significance of soil testing and nutrient-based fertilizer application for achieving higher crop yields and long-term soil sustainability was also discussed in detail.

As part of the programme, 60 Scheduled Caste farmers from Bendarawadi village received biofertilizers, including Azospirillum, Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM), and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB). The distribution of these inputs is expected to enhance soil microbial activity, improve soil health, and increase farm productivity and income in rainfed regions through the adoption of integrated nutrient management practices.

Leaflets on the balanced use of fertilizers for sustaining crop productivity and soil health were also distributed to the participating farmers to facilitate wider dissemination of scientific nutrient management practices.

The programme served as an important platform for promoting soil health awareness and encouraging the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies among farming communities in the region.

A total of 60 farmers, including 35 men and 25 women, participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Research Centre, Udhagamandalam)