ICAR–Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar organized an awareness-cum-training programme under the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” on 24th June 2026 at Birabarpatana village, Jagatsinghpur Block, District-Jagatsinghpur, Odisha. A total of 48 farmers, comprising 31 women and 17 men participated in the programme. The technical sessions were conducted by Dr. A.K. Nayak, Principal Scientist and Dr. Ranabir Chakraborty, Scientist. The programme aimed to create awareness among farmers on sustainable agricultural practices, efficient resource management, and scientific nutrient management for improving farm productivity and profitability. Dr. Nayak elaborated on the objectives of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and highlighted the need for conserving natural resources in agriculture. He also introduced farmers to digital tools and mobile applications that can assist farmers in crop diagnosis, pest and disease identification, weather-based advisories, and access to scientific agricultural information. Dr. Chakraborty highlighted the significance of soil-test-based fertilizer application and urged farmers to make effective use of Soil Health Cards for informed nutrient management decisions. He also discussed the importance of secondary and micronutrients for achieving balanced crop nutrition and higher fertilizer-use efficiency. He further encouraged farmers to adopt eco-friendly farming practices and utilize locally available resources for reducing production costs while maintaining crop productivity. Special emphasis was given to the preparation and use of indigenous organic formulations and botanical extracts for environmentally safe crop protection. The programme witnessed active participation from the farming community, with farmers raising queries related to soil fertility management, fertilizer application, pest management, and crop production constraints. The scientists addressed these issues through interactive discussions and practical recommendations.
