An awareness-cum-demonstration programme on Balanced Use of Fertilizers (BUF) was organized successfully on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at Usuma village in Baranga Block of Cuttack district, Odisha under the Mission on Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav (MGMG) programme of the Government of India. The farmer-scientist interaction programme was organized by the scientists of ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar, including Dr. K.K. Bandyopdhyay, Principal Scientist (Soil Science), Dr. O.P. Verma, Principal Scientist (Agronomy), Dr. Ankita Jha (Agrometeorologiest) and Dr. Subodh Karna, Technical Officer. A total of 34 farmers actively participated in the programme. The programme was conducted with the objective of promoting balanced nutrient management practices among farming communities and creating awareness on maintaining soil productivity through Integrated Nutrient Management. Mr. Ashok Kumar Das, President, Pallishree Panipanchayat was the Chief guest on this occasion. Farmers were encouraged to adopt low-cost and location-specific nutrient management strategies suitable for local farming conditions. The programme started with the National Song: Bandematarm. During the programme, the scientists interacted extensively with farmers on the present challenges associated with declining soil fertility, rising cultivation costs due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, fertilizer crisis and imbalance in nutrient application. Dr. Bandyopadhyay informed that continuous use of nitrogenous fertilizers alone often leads to nutrient mining, making plants susceptible to pest and diseases leading to lower response of crops to fertilizers over time. Besides this, such practice causes environmental pollution like greenhouse gas emissions, groundwater pollution, eutrophication having serious health consequences. Emphasis was therefore laid on restoring soil health through integrated nutrient management involving green manures, farmyard manure, Vermicompost, biofertilizers like Azotobacter in rice and Rhizobium in legumes and balanced fertilization practices. Dr. Verma explained the advantages of including pulse and leguminous crops in crop rotations for natural nitrogen enrichment and improved soil fertility. Awareness was also created regarding the role green-manuring and crop diversification in enhancing nutrient availability, reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers, and improving resilience of crops under stress conditions. Dr. Jha explained about the weather based agroadvisories issued by IIWM. She said that the farmers should make use of these advisories issued every fortnight interval and available at IIWM website. They should plan their agricultural activities as per these advisories. Practical demonstrations were conducted on the use and application methods of Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Trichoderma, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB), vermicompost, Farmyard Manure (FYM), nano-urea, and green manuring with Sesbania (Dhaincha). There was an interactive discussion session, where farmers discussed their problems and expressed keen interest in adopting balanced and sustainable nutrient management practices for improving soil health and crop productivity. The programme concluded with the National Anthem. The scientists also visited the field of a progressive farmer Mr. Dillip Kumar Behera, where he displayed the successful production of bitter gourd and pointed gourd. It was advised to him to follow drip irrigation and fertigation to save water and fertilizer and improve the productivity.
