Shimla.Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, organized a special farmers’ awareness programme under the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” at Mandholi village in Kumarsain subdivision, Narkanda, Shimla district. The programme aimed to create awareness among farmers about natural farming, sustainable agricultural practices, and the harmful effects of counterfeit agricultural inputs.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Alok Kumar, Principal Scientist and Head, Social Sciences at CPRI, explained the fundamental principles of natural farming and highlighted its economic,environmental, and health-related benefits. He emphasized that adopting natural farming practices can reduce production costs, improve soil fertility, and contribute significantly to environmental conservation.

Dr. Anil Kumar Chaudhary, Principal Scientist, stressed the importance of balanced and scientific fertilizer application based on soil testing reports. He encouraged farmers to make greater use of compost, green manure, and other organic resources and urged them to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. He also demonstrated simple, effective, and low-cost methods for preparing organic fertilizers and biopesticides, which can help reduce dependence on chemical inputs.

On this occasion, “BioGrow,” a biofertilizer developed by ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM), Kushmaur, Mau, was distributed among Scheduled Caste farmers. The bioformulation promotes plant growth and development and can be effectively utilized in agricultural operations to enhance crop productivity in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Dr. Avinash Chandra Rai, Dr. Dalamu, Ms. Akanksha, and Sri D.K. Gupta, who motivated farmers to adopt natural and scientific farming practices for maintaining healthy soils, producing safe crops, and ensuring a sustainable agricultural system. The scientists cautioned farmers against the increasing circulation of counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides, noting that such products not only reduce crop productivity but also adversely affect soil health and human well-being. Farmers were advised to purchase agricultural inputs only from certified and reliable sources.

A total of 40 farmers participated in the programme, with women farmers constituting a significant proportion of the attendees. Participants actively interacted with the scientists, discussed various farming-related challenges, and shared their experiences with natural farming. Farmers appreciated the initiative and described such awareness programmes as highly beneficial for agricultural development, environmental protection, and enhancing farm incomes in rural areas.

SS/NK

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