About 1,200 farmers from Himachal Pradesh were apprised of sustainable farming techniques during ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), Shimla’s month-long ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyaan’. The nationwide outreach campaign aimed to promote the balanced use of fertilisers and sustainable agricultural practices among farmers.
Campaign Coverage and Focus Areas
The campaign was held across the ICAR-CPRI headquarters in Shimla and its regional stations located in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya. It emphasised key components of sustainable agriculture, including soil testing, Soil Health Card awareness, balanced nutrient management, natural farming, water conservation, use of quality seeds, seed treatment, green manuring, modern sowing techniques and water-efficient farming practices. Farmers were encouraged to adopt climate-resilient technologies and scientific crop management practices to improve productivity while conserving natural resources.
Multidisciplinary Teams in Action
A total of 17 multidisciplinary teams, including six teams from the ICAR-CPRI headquarters in Shimla, remained in the field throughout the month. The teams visited villages, organised awareness programmes, conducted diagnostic surveys, and interacted directly with farmers to address field-level challenges while providing timely technical advisories for effective crop protection.
Director's Statement on Farmer Response
Dr Brajesh Singh, Director, CPRI, Shimla, said, “The overwhelming response from farmers reflects their growing confidence in scientific interventions and the importance of timely field-level guidance. Through the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyaan’, ICAR-CPRI has strengthened its direct engagement with farmers by delivering practical solutions for crop protection and sustainable agriculture. The institute remains committed to expanding its outreach programmes so that the latest research, technologies, and innovations reach the farming community, ultimately enhancing productivity, improving farmers’ incomes, and contributing to national food and nutritional security.”
Demonstrations and Digital Outreach
As part of the campaign, scientists conducted 178 on-field demonstrations, showcasing improved crop management practices, integrated pest and disease management, seed treatment technologies, and other scientific interventions for sustainable farming. To maximise awareness at the grassroots level, 1,052 banners, posters, and placards were displayed in villages and farming clusters, while an extensive digital outreach campaign reached nearly 1.5 lakh stakeholders through social media platforms.
