ICAR-CIFRI Leads Khet Bachao Abhiyan to Advance Sustainable Farming and Protect Aquatic Ecosystems in North 24 Parganas

June 2026 : Reinforcing the themes of Soil Health Management, Natural Farming, Integrated Farming, and Balanced Fertilizer Use, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore organized a Field Day on 01 June, 2026  under the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Chamta Fishers’ Cooperative Society, Bongaon, with participation of over 40 farmers, fishers, and stakeholders. The programme promoted awareness on soil health, balanced fertilizer use, eco-friendly farming, and the crucial agriculture–aquatic ecosystem linkage for sustainable livelihoods.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Manna, Head of Division, ICAR-CIFRI, emphasized the importance of organic and sustainable farming practices for ensuring long-term food security and environmental resilience. He underscored that healthy soils are the cornerstone of productive and sustainable agriculture, calling for collective efforts to preserve soil fertility for future generations.

Reflecting on the occasion, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, remarked, “Khet Bachao Abhiyan is not merely a campaign, but a national call to action that underscores the inseparable link between soil health, food security, rural prosperity, and ecological sustainability. Balanced fertilizer use, soil testing, Soil Health Cards, natural farming, water stewardship, and scientific nutrient management must work in synergy to rejuvenate soil vitality and sustain agricultural productivity. Soil is not a resource to be exploited, but a living legacy to be protected. Reducing reliance on indiscriminate chemical inputs is imperative to preserving livelihoods, ecosystems, and the long-term resilience of agriculture.”

Scientists and scientific personnel of ICAR-CIFRI highlighted the environmental risks associated with the excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals. They explained how nutrient runoff from agricultural fields contaminates nearby ponds, wetlands, canals, and water bodies, leading to eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and adverse impacts on fish populations and aquatic biodiversity.

A major highlight of the programme was the promotion of green manuring as a sustainable strategy for improving soil productivity. Participants were introduced to Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata / Sesbania bispinosa), a fast-growing leguminous crop recognized for its role in enhancing soil organic matter, enriching nitrogen content, improving soil structure, increasing moisture retention, and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.

The month-long Khet Bachao Campaign aims to encourage scientific and climate-resilient farming practices, minimize overreliance on chemical inputs, strengthen weather-based agro-advisory services, and promote sustainable soil and nutrient management.

Scientists also advocated for Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) approaches combining organic manures, compost, biofertilizers, green manure crops, and balanced fertilizer application based on soil testing to enhance farm sustainability and resource efficiency.

The programme concluded with an interactive farmer–scientist dialogue, where participants shared field experiences and expressed strong commitment toward adopting farming practices that simultaneously enhance agricultural productivity, soil health, and environmental conservation.

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