ICAR-IIWM organized one awareness-cum- training programme on Balanced Use of Fertilizers (BUF) on 20th May, 2026 in Deula Pokhari village of Balipatna Block in Khordha district of Odisha benefiting 51 farmers including 33 farm women in association with the Sishu Ananta Farmers Producers Company (FPC), Balipatana, Khordha. Dr. S.K. Mishra, Principal Scientist briefed about the objectives of the ongoing National Awareness Campaign on ‘Science-based Nutrient Application’ (Balanced Used of Fertilizers). He stressed upon promoting the balanced, judicious, and need-based application of inorganic/chemical fertilizers, with particular emphasis on reducing the excessive use of urea and substituting at least 25% of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures to improve soil health and long-term sustainability. Dr S.K. Rautaray, Principal Scientist emphasized on the importance of soil testing for soil health management and application of fertilizers based of Soil Health Card recommendations, adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), appropriate cropping and farming systems like rice followed by pulses/ leguminous crops, crop diversification, land shaping options, and efficient Agricultural Water Management (AWM) to enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE). Dr. Mamta Bisht, Scientist spoke on the waste-to-wealth approaches, serious health and environmental hazards associated with excessive chemical fertilizer use, and the need to scale up safe and sustainable alternatives without compromising farm productivity. The participating scientists conducted demonstrations on the methods of application of various bio-fertilizers and organic amendments, including Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB), vermicompost, Farmyard Manure (FYM), green manuring with Sesbania (Dhaincha), nitrogen-fixing leguminous crops, Leaf Colour Chart (LCC)-based nitrogen application, nano-urea, nano-DAP, and nano-NPK. A special emphasis was given to the effective use of bio-fertilizers, wherein it was explained how liquid or carrier-based bio-fertilizers can be mixed with cow dung and kept for 12–15 days under proper conditions. This process helps in increasing the population of beneficial microorganisms, thereby enhancing nutrient availability and improving crop productivity. Additionally, demonstrations on use of various farm mechanization equipments were also conducted, where farmers were provided information about the use of power tillers, power weeders, brush cutters, water pumps, spraying machines, and other agricultural equipments with the support of the FPC.
