One awareness cum demonstration programme on ‘Balanced Use of Fertilizers’ (BUF) was organised on 16th April, 2026 in the SCSP-adopted Marthapur village of Balipatna Block in Khordha district of Odisha under the ‘Mission on Atmanirbharta in Fertilizers’ of the Govt. of India. The programme focussed on promoting balanced, judicious and need-based application of synthetic (mineral/ inorganic) fertilizers to prevent over-use, particularly of Urea, which currently sees high consumption. The participating scientists emphasised on replacing at least 25% of mineral fertilizer use with organic manure in farming. The farmer participants were sensitized about the importance of soil testing in soil health management, integrated nutrient management, adoption of proper cropping system and farming system, suitable crop diversification, proper agricultural water management (AWM) for increasing nutrient use efficiency (NUE), waste to wealth approaches, severe health and environmental hazards occurring due to excessive chemical fertilizer use, and scaling up of available safe alternatives for reducing their use without compromising crop productivity. During the deliberations, demonstrations were conducted on methods and time of using bio-fertilizers and bio-formulations like, Rhizobium, Azotobactor, Phosphorous Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), Potassium Solubilising Bacteria (KSP), Vermi-compost, FYM, Green Manuring with Sesbania (Dhaincha), N-fixing leguminous crops, LCC-based N-application and Nano-Urea etc. A total of 89 participants attended the programme including 20 women. Dr. B.K. Sethy, Dr. H.K. Dash and Dr. S.K. Mishra, Principal Scientists, organized the programme and imparted the capacity building activities followed by farmer-scientist interaction.
