Under the Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav (MGMG) programme of the Government of India, an awareness-cum-demonstration programme on Balanced Use of Fertilizers (BUF) & Khet Bachao Abhiyan was organized on 11th June 2026 at Kalikanuapda village, Puri Sadar Block, Puri district, Odisha. The programme aimed to enhance farmers' awareness regarding the balanced, need-based, and site-specific application of fertilizers for sustaining crop productivity along with improving soil health. During the programme, Scientists highlighted the adverse consequences of excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, particularly urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP), which constitute a significant proportion of fertilizer consumption in Indian agriculture. They explained that excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizers can result in nitrate leaching which led to groundwater contamination and long-term health risks. Loss of physical properties and beneficial microbes are also happening. Farmers were informed that the incorporation of green manure crops such as Dhaincha (Sesbania) and the use of Azolla in paddy cultivation can substantially reduce the requirement for chemical nitrogen fertilizers through biological nitrogen fixation. These practices not only improve soil structure and microbial activity but also enhance nutrient cycling and crop productivity. The farmers were advised to follow rice-green gram cropping system instead of rice-rice. The programme concluded with an interactive farmer–scientist discussion session, where Scientists addressed farmers' questions and provided location-specific recommendations. A total 43 farmers, including 3 women and 40 men, actively participated in this programme. The awareness-cum-demonstration programme and farmer–scientist interaction session was jointly organized and conducted by Dr. S. K. Rautaray (Principal Scientist), and Dr A. Maity, Principal Scientist.
