ICAR-CIFRI Promotes Sustainable Farming in Bengal’s Fish Hub, Moyna, under the KhetBachaoAbhiyan

Moyna, PurbaMedinipur, June 2026 : Advancing the national mission for sustainable agriculture, the ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, organized a large-scale farmer awareness programme under the KhetBachaoAbhiyan through the MeraGaonMeraGaurav (MGMG) initiative at Moyna in PurbaMedinipur district of West Bengal today. The programme, conducted in collaboration with the Purba Medinipur KrishiVigyan Kendra (BCKV), witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 109 farmers, officials and stake holders, including a substantial number of fish farmers.

Widely recognized as one of West Bengal’s premier freshwater fish-producing regions, Moyna represents a unique agro-ecological landscape where agriculture and aquaculture coexist and mutually influence each other. Keeping this critical linkage in focus, the programme highlighted the need for sustainable farming practices that not only enhance crop productivity but also protect ponds, wetlands, canals and other aquatic resources from agrochemical contamination.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, said “Healthy soil is a strategic national asset, central to food security, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and rural prosperity. Through the KhetBachaoAbhiyan, we are advancing evidence-based, resource-efficient, and climate-smart agriculture that promotes balanced nutrient use and sustainable water management. Conserving soil and water resources is essential for safeguarding livelihoods, ecosystem health, and the long-term sustainability of agriculture for future generations.”

Delivering the technical session, Dr. Asit Kumar Bera, Head, Aquatic Environmental Biotechnology  Division, ICAR-CIFRI, highlighted the risks of soil degradation and nutrient imbalance caused by indiscriminate fertilizer use. He emphasized that nutrient runoff into water bodies can lead to eutrophication, algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and loss of fish biodiversity—an issue of particular concern in Moyna, where fisheries are a key source of livelihood and economic activity.

Dr. Ananda Singha, Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA), Moyna; Shri Tarun Sarkar, SMS, KVK; Shri ShasankaMaity, Secretary, MoynaRamkrishnayan Association also spoke on the occasion.

The programme also promoted green manuring as an eco-friendly and cost-effective strategy for restoring soil health. Farmers were introduced to Dhaincha (Sesbaniaaculeata/Sesbaniabispinosa), a fast-growing leguminous crop known for enriching soil organic matter, improving nutrient availability and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Interactive discussions enabled participants to share field-level experiences and seek practical solutions to enhance farm productivity while conserving natural resources. Farmers expressed keen interest in adopting sustainable farming practices that simultaneously improve profitability and environmental sustainability.

To amplify the campaign’s outreach beyond the programme venue, ICAR-CIFRI partnered with MoynaPallymangal FM Community Radio to disseminate messages on sustainable agriculture, soil conservation and fisheries protection, thereby extending the benefits of scientific knowledge to a wider farming community.

The initiative reaffirmed ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to advancing climate-resilient agriculture, conserving aquatic ecosystems and strengthening the livelihoods of farming and fishing communities. By bringing the message of soil and water stewardship to Bengal’s fish-producing heartland, the KhetBachaoAbhiyan is fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for both agriculture and fisheries.