On June 18, 2026, the "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" initiative rolled out an awareness and sensitization workshop for agricultural communities in Bhola village, situated within Khurda district's Bhubaneswar block. Tailored to counter predictions of a low-rainfall cropping season, the event centred heavily on equipping farmers with climate-smart and sustainable farming techniques. Altogether, 26 progressive farmers gathered to coordinate with ICAR-IIWM scientists, who offered actionable advice on optimizing water resources and crop handling. Central to the discussions was encouraging soil vitality while curbing a reliance on synthetic inputs. To achieve this, the experts advocated for balanced fertilizer applications alongside the integration of vermicomposting and green manuring. To buffer against expected drought conditions, the farmers were encouraged to adhere towards low-water-demand crops and fast-maturing paddy alternatives. Furthermore, the session placed importance on maximizing water productivity through dedicated conservation methods, highlighting the vital roles of rainwater harvesting, optimized irrigation, and localized soil moisture retention to secure steady crop yields despite the dry spell.
