Under the ‘National Mission on Atmanirbharta in Fertilizers’ of the Government of India, ICAR–IIWM, Bhubaneswar conducted an awareness campaign on ‘Balanced Use of Fertilizers’ (BUF) on 23rd April 2026 at Haridamada village in Khordha district, Odisha, adopted under the Farmer FIRST Project. The programme benefited 72 farmers, including six women, from three nearby villages - Haridamada, Barapita, and Jamujhari. During the campaign, participating scientists emphasized the need to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers to ensure sustainable soil health management. Farmers were encouraged to adopt organic manures and bio-formulations as viable alternatives without compromising crop productivity. The sessions focused on promoting balanced, judicious, and need-based application of chemical fertilizers to prevent their excessive use. The programme also highlighted key aspects such as the importance of soil testing for maintaining soil health, integrated nutrient management (INM), adoption of appropriate cropping and farming systems, crop diversification, and efficient agricultural water management (AWM) to enhance nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Additionally, farmers were sensitized about waste-to-wealth approaches, as well as the serious health and environmental risks associated with excessive use of chemical fertilizers, along with strategies for scaling up safe and sustainable alternatives. Water management technologies for enhancing nitrogen use efficiency under both surface and micro irrigation systems were also discussed. As part of the campaign, practical demonstrations were conducted on the methods and timing of applying bio-fertilizers and bio-formulations, including Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB), vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM), green manuring with Sesbania (Dhaincha), nitrogen-fixing leguminous crops, LCC-based nitrogen application, Soil Health Card-based INM, and nano-urea. The campaign-cum farmer–scientist interaction programme was organized by the Farmer FIRST team members of ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
