An off-campus training-cum-demonstration programme on the topic “From Soil to Success: Elevating Productivity of Horticultural Crops with Bio-Fertilizers” was organized on 23rd September, 2025 under the ‘Farmer FIRST Project’ of ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar, benefiting 65 trainee farmers and farmwomen from the adopted village cluster, namely, Haridamada, Jamujhari and Barapita of Khordha district, besides 10 B.Sc. (Ag) 4th Year students from SOA University, Bhubaneswar who were undergoing RAWE Internship Programme at the Institute. At the outset, Dr. S.K. Mishra, Principal Scientist and PI of the project, welcomed the participants and emphasized on the importance of soil health management and the crucial role of bio-fertilizer application in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of horticultural crops. He highlighted the significance of reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers through integrated nutrient management practices. Dr. Prativa Sahu, Scientist & Co-PI of the project, demonstrated different methods on applying bio-fertilizers such as seed treatment and seedling root dip treatment. Dr. Sahu also highlighted, use of bio-fertilizers not only reduces the cost of cultivation but also ensures eco-friendly crop production and protection. She explained in detail, how microbial inoculants like Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) help in improving nutrient availability, soil fertility, and crop resilience. For undertaking field demonstrations, bio-fertilizers like PSB, Trichoderma viridae, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, and rabi season vegetable seeds were distributed to the participating farmers. Subsequently, a “Swachhata Awareness-cum-Cleanliness” drive was organized through shramdaan under the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Campaign with the enthusiastic participation of all trainees, students, resource persons and some villagers to clean the village main road, cutting of roadside bushes, and trimming of avenue plants. On this occasion, grafted mango saplings were distributed to all participants aligning the national campaign on “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Meri LiFE”, symbolizing community commitment towards cleanliness, environmental conservation, and collective responsibility. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Ms. Isha Anindita Sahoo, SRF, acknowledging the active participation of farmers, students and valuable contributions of the resource persons.
