Posted On:
21 OCT 2026 6:20PM by PIB Raipur
Indian Council of Agricultural Research–National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIBSM), Raipur, will collaborate with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Bemetara, to promote sustainable agricultural practices among farmers under the nationwide Khet Bachaao Abhiyaan–Rabi 2026. Scheduled from October 22 to November 30, the campaign will focus on improving soil health, ensuring balanced fertiliser use, conserving natural resources and strengthening climate-resilient farming during the Rabi season.
ICAR-NIBSM Director Dr. P. K. Rai emphasised the importance of scientific and sustainable agricultural practices in maintaining soil fertility, improving resource-use efficiency and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability. He stressed the need to enhance farmer awareness and promote the adoption of location-specific technologies to improve crop production and strengthen farm livelihoods.
Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Joint Director of ICAR-NIBSM and nodal officer for the campaign, said the institute would provide scientific and technical support in collaboration with KVK Bemetara. A team of institute scientists will engage with farmers through technical guidance, awareness programmes, training and capacity-building activities to encourage the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
The campaign will focus on the balanced and judicious application of fertilisers according to crop requirements, General Fertiliser Recommendations (GFR), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), and the appropriate use of organic inputs and biofertilisers. Awareness programmes and field demonstrations will also promote natural farming, scientific management of crop residues without burning, and the conservation of soil moisture and other natural resources.
The initiative will give special attention to increasing pulse and oilseed production, encouraging crop diversification and improving the productive utilisation of rice-fallow areas after paddy harvesting. Farmers will also be informed about relevant government agricultural schemes and sustainable technologies suited to local farming conditions.
The collaborative effort aims to strengthen the link between agricultural research and field-level extension services, enabling farmers to make informed decisions, reduce avoidable input costs and use available resources more efficiently. The campaign is expected to contribute to improved soil health, sustainable crop production and greater resilience of farming systems against climate-related and other agricultural challenges in the region.
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RDJ/BKT