1 June 2026, Bankura
The inauguration ceremony of the nationwide “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” was organized with enthusiasm at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Bankura, under the jurisdiction of ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, bringing together farmers, administrators, scientists, and extension stakeholders in a collective call for protecting soil health and promoting sustainable agriculture. The programme recorded an active participation of 87 stakeholders.
Addressing the programme virtually, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, emphasized that Khet Bachao Abhiyan represents a collective national effort to strengthen the crucial link between soil health, food security, farmer prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
He highlighted the need for balanced fertilizer use, soil testing, and the adoption of sustainable practices such as green manuring, vermicompost, and biofertilisers to rejuvenate soil vitality and enhance agricultural resilience. Dr Dey further stressed the importance of empowering farmers with practical knowledge and awareness on initiatives such as the Pulses Mission and Oilseeds Mission to promote crop diversification, profitability, and long-term sustainability in agriculture.
The event was graced by Shri Gorachad Burman, BDO, Sonamukhi Block, Dr. Shamvo Ganguly, Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA), Sonamukhi, representatives from the MLA office, and officials from various line departments. Addressing the gathering, the invited dignitaries stressed that maintaining soil health is central to ensuring agricultural productivity, food and nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and rural prosperity. They emphasized 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.
The campaign focused on delivering practical, field-level information and actionable advisories directly to farmers to support informed and sustainable agricultural decision-making. Special emphasis was placed on efficient fertilizer use and reducing excessive application of chemical inputs to improve input-use efficiency, lower production costs, and safeguard long-term soil fertility.
Farmers were sensitized on the importance of improving soil health through the use of green manures, vermicompost, and biofertilisers, highlighting eco-friendly nutrient management approaches that enhance soil biological activity and resilience. The programme also underscored the critical role of soil testing in identifying nutrient status and enabling farmers to select the most suitable, profitable, and location-specific cropping systems.
As part of the awareness initiative, participants were informed about key government interventions including the Pulses Mission and Oilseeds Mission, aimed at promoting crop diversification, enhancing productivity, reducing import dependency, and expanding income opportunities for farming households.
The programme served as an important platform for interaction among farmers, administrators, and extension agencies, fostering dialogue on local agricultural challenges and practical pathways toward resilient, profitable, and sustainable agriculture.
Through the successful inauguration of Khet Bachao Abhiyan, KVK Bankura reaffirmed its commitment to taking science-based advisories, sustainable farming technologies, and policy-linked opportunities to the grassroots for building a healthier soil ecosystem and a stronger agricultural future.
(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)
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