ICAR-RCER hosts interaction meet to promote scientific fertiliser use

An interaction meeting to finalise action plans for promoting the balanced use of fertilisers among farmers was held on 10/4/2026 at the ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region.

Director Dr. Anup Das said that imbalanced fertiliser application is contributing to declining soil fertility and rising cultivation costs, thereby affecting farmers’ incomes. He emphasised the need for soil test-based nutrient management and the integrated use of organic and inorganic fertiliser sources.

During the meeting, experts highlighted the importance of green manuring, recommending crops such as dhaincha and sunhemp to improve soil organic carbon and nutrient availability, thereby reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers. They also stressed the adoption of nature-based farming systems to ensure sustainability and environmental conservation.

It was decided that, under ongoing programmes, weekly village-level training sessions, demonstration plots and awareness drives would be organised. Informational leaflets in Hindi will be prepared and distributed among farmers, focusing on balanced fertiliser use and green manuring. Emphasis will also be laid on promoting the use of leaf colour charts (LCC) for precise nitrogen application and encouraging the inclusion of pulses in cropping systems.

The institute will also undertake green manure seed production and demonstrations on green manuring and pulse-based cropping systems, particularly in the rice–wheat system, in collaboration with the Bihar government under CRAP and other joint programmes. Crop diversification through pulses and millets will be promoted, along with the cultivation of pigeonpea on field bunds to enhance farm productivity and soil health.

The institute plans to expand its outreach through mobile messaging, WhatsApp groups and other digital platforms. Experts expressed confidence that these initiatives will help lower input costs, improve soil health and promote sustainable farming practices.

The meeting was chaired by Director Dr. Anup Das and attended by divisional heads, including Dr. Ashutosh Upadhyaya, Dr. Kamal Sharma, Dr. Ujjawal Kumar and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, along with  scientists and Heads of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at Buxar and Ramgarh.