On June 5, 2026, Team-2 scientists from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (ICAR-IIWM) led an awareness and capacity-building event in Durgapur village, located in the Jatni Block of Khurda district, under the MGMG Programme. Operating within the "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" framework, the session aimed to advance "Balanced Fertilizer Use and Scientific Nutrient Management" to boost crop yields without compromising long-term soil health. The scientists guided farmers on maximizing nutrient efficiency by applying the right source and quantity of fertilizers at the correct times and through proper methods based on specific crop needs and soil tests. They warned against the heavy toll of indiscriminate fertilizer use: such as degraded soil quality, inflated cultivation costs, and environmental damage and strongly advocated for Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices that blend chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives like farmyard manure, compost, vermicompost, and biofertilizers to improve nutrient recycling. The program wrapped up with an interactive Q&A session, where 19 progressive local farmers received tailored, science-backed solutions to their specific field challenges.
