ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore Organises Farmer Awareness Programme in Hooghly under Khet Bachao Abhiyan–Rabi 2026

2 November 2026, Hooghly, West Bengal

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, organised a farmer awareness programme under Khet Bachao Abhiyan–Rabi 2026 through its Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) initiative at Debanandapur, Bandel, Hooghly district, West Bengal, on 2 November 2026. The programme sensitised 42 farmers and fishers, including 33 men and 9 women, on sustainable agricultural practices, conservation of natural resources and their responsible management for ecological sustainability and improved rural livelihoods.

The programme highlighted the importance of healthy soil as the foundation of productive agriculture, clean water, thriving aquatic ecosystems and sustainable rural livelihoods. Farmers were sensitised to maintaining soil fertility, adopting soil-test-based nutrient management, ensuring judicious use of agricultural inputs and minimising environmental degradation. The discussions also emphasised the interconnectedness of soil, water and fisheries resources and the need for an integrated approach to natural resource conservation.

Interacting with the participants, the ICAR-CIFRI scientific team explained the objectives of Khet Bachao Abhiyan and discussed practical measures to improve soil health, reduce indiscriminate use of agrochemicals and promote environmentally sustainable farming systems. Emphasis was also placed on protecting soil and water resources, improving resource-use efficiency and sustaining agricultural productivity for future generations.

Highlighting the importance of translating scientific knowledge into field-level action, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, stated that Khet Bachao Abhiyan aims to provide farmers and fishers with practical, location-specific scientific solutions. He emphasised that soil-health-based nutrient management, judicious use of agrochemicals, scientific pond management, natural resource conservation and climate-resilient production systems are essential for enhancing productivity while safeguarding natural resources. He further underscored the vision of building economically prosperous, environmentally responsible and climate-resilient farming and fishing communities, contributing to sustainable livelihoods and the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

As part of the knowledge dissemination initiative, informative pamphlets on soil health and its management were distributed among farmers in English and Bengali. The bilingual materials aimed to improve farmers' understanding of soil-related challenges and facilitate the adoption of appropriate, science-based management practices. The interactive sessions also provided an opportunity for participants to share local concerns and seek scientific guidance on sustainable agricultural practices.

The programme reaffirmed ICAR-CIFRI's commitment to taking scientific knowledge to the grassroots, promoting responsible soil and water resource management and strengthening climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable rural livelihoods through initiatives such as Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav and Khet Bachao Abhiyan.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore)