New Delhi: With Indian agriculture facing mounting challenges such as climate change, declining soil fertility, falling groundwater levels and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched a nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ (Save the Farm Campaign) aimed at promoting sustainable and profitable farming practices.
The campaign is built around the message: “If soil is preserved, farming will survive; farmers will prosper and the nation will thrive.” Agricultural experts emphasize that soil health is the foundation of agricultural productivity. Continued deterioration in soil quality could lead to lower crop yields, higher cultivation costs and threats to food security.
As part of the initiative, Indian Potash Limited (IPL) is actively supporting efforts to raise awareness among farmers about soil health management, balanced nutrient application and modern agricultural practices. Experts note that while the Green Revolution significantly boosted foodgrain production, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has disturbed nutrient balance in many agricultural regions.
Imbalanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash has adversely affected the soil’s natural productivity. A decline in beneficial microorganisms and organic carbon content has also reduced the soil’s water-holding capacity.
The campaign places special emphasis on the Soil Health Card programme, which provides farmers with scientific information about nutrient deficiencies in their fields and recommends appropriate fertilizer use. This helps ensure balanced nutrient management, lowers input costs and maintains long-term soil fertility.
Promoting natural and organic farming is another key focus area. Farmers are being encouraged to use farmyard manure, compost, vermicompost and green manure to improve soil organic matter and sustain productivity. Training programmes are also being conducted to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Given growing concerns over water scarcity, the campaign is promoting water conservation through drip and sprinkler irrigation, rainwater harvesting and other water-efficient farming technologies. Farmers are also being educated on seed treatment, balanced nutrition, modern sowing methods, crop diversification and the selection of crops and seed varieties suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
The campaign additionally seeks to protect farmers from financial losses caused by counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides by spreading awareness about identifying and using quality agricultural inputs.
IPL Managing Director Dr. P. S. Gahlaut said that balanced fertilizer use, Soil Health Cards, organic manures and micronutrient application can significantly improve soil health. He added that amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and rising global fertilizer prices, the need for soil conservation and balanced nutrient management has become more important than ever.
