ICAR-CIFRI Mobilizes Nadia Farmers for Soil Health Restoration through Balanced Fertilizer Use under KhetBachaoAbhiyan

Nadia, West Bengal, June 2026 : Reinforcing the nationwide KhetBachaoAbhiyan (Save Our Fields Campaign) launched by ICAR, scientists from ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, conducted a farmer awareness programme on 4^th June, 2026 at Sankarpur village of Krishnanagar-II Block in Nadia district, emphasizing the urgent need for balanced and judicious fertilizer use to protect soil health and sustain agricultural productivity.

The programme was led by Dr. S.K. Nag, Principal Scientist, along with Dr. Md. Aftabuddin, Principal Scientist, and ShriSudarshanBandyopadhyay, Technical Officer. Addressing a large gathering of farmers, the experts highlighted the adverse impacts of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers such as urea and DAP, including declining soil fertility, reduced crop productivity, and environmental pollution affecting soil, water, and air quality.

The scientists advocated the adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), combining organic sources such as farmyard manure, compost, vermicompost, green manures, and biofertilizers with need-based chemical fertilizer application. Farmers were encouraged to follow Soil Health Card recommendations to ensure balanced nutrient application, improve soil organic carbon, enhance microbial activity, reduce cultivation costs, and maintain long-term soil productivity.

Highlighting the vision behind the movement, Dr.PradipDey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, remarked, “Soil is a living ecosystem and the foundation of sustainable agriculture. Excessive and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers, coupled with inadequate organic matter replenishment, is gradually degrading soil health and reducing farm productivity. Through the KhetBachaoAbhiyan, we aim to encourage farmers to adopt balanced nutrient management based on Soil Health Card recommendations. This approach will help restore soil fertility, safeguard our natural resources for future generations, and reduce cultivation costs, thereby enhancing both the sustainability and profitability of farming.”

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, who actively engaged with the scientists on practical challenges associated with reducing chemical fertilizer dependence. Through interactive discussions and scientific demonstrations, the ICAR-CIFRI team successfully motivated farmers to adopt soil-health-based nutrient management practices and actively support the objectives of the KhetBachaoAbhiyan.

The campaign reflects ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, conserving natural resources, and empowering farmers through science-based interventions for resilient and environmentally responsible farming.