Farmer Awareness Programme on Balanced and Judicious Use of Fertilizers under “Khet Bachao Abhiyan”

A farmer awareness programme on balanced and judicious use of fertilizers was organized by ICAR-RCER, Patna at Gopalpur village, Chiraura Gram Panchayat, Naubatpur Block, Patna, Bihar, on 10 November 2026 under the Khet Bachao Abhiyan initiative. The programme was conducted by Dr. Sonaka Ghosh, Dr. M. K. Tripathi, Dr. Shivani with the participation of 63 farmers, including 52 men and 11 women.

During the programme, the scientists sensitized farmers to the importance of soil testing and soil-test-based nutrient management for maintaining soil health and achieving sustainable crop productivity. The adverse effects of excessive and imbalanced nitrogen application, including crop lodging, increased incidence of insect pests and diseases, reduced nutrient-use efficiency and unnecessary cultivation costs, were explained. Emphasis was placed on adopting balanced fertilization based on crop nutrient requirements and soil fertility status rather than indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers.

The farmers were also encouraged to adopt Integrated Nutrient Management practices through the combined and judicious use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers, along with green manuring. The importance of crop residue incorporation, vermicompost application and inclusion of leguminous crops in cropping systems was highlighted as an effective approach to improving soil fertility, enhancing nutrient cycling and sustaining soil health.

In addition to nutrient management, the programme provided an opportunity for interactive discussions on suitable crop diversification options and integrated farming systems for the village. Farmers expressed keen interest in the cultivation of rabi pulses and vegetables, as well as in developing integrated farming system models at their farms to diversify income sources and improve overall resource-use efficiency. Some farmers also sought guidance on the management of livestock diseases and expressed interest in including dairy animals as an integral component of their farming systems. The potential benefits of integrating crop production with livestock-based enterprises for better recycling of farm resources and enhancing farm income were discussed.

The programme witnessed active participation and enthusiastic interaction from the farming community. Farmers showed considerable interest in adopting balanced, soil-test-based fertilization practices, diversifying their cropping systems and exploring integrated farming approaches for improving farm productivity, profitability and sustainability.