ICAR-CPRI, Shimla Concludes Month-Long 'Khet Bachao Abhiyaan'

30 June 2026, Shimla

ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, has successfully concluded its month-long Khet Bachao Abhiyaan, a nationwide outreach campaign launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research aimed at promoting balanced use of fertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices.

Conducted from June 1 to 30, 2026, the campaign witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers and stakeholders, reaffirming the institute's commitment to strengthening agricultural extension services and enhancing farmers' resilience against crop losses.

The campaign was implemented across ICAR-CPRI headquarters at Shimla and its regional stations located in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya. During the month, the institute organized 100 farmer-centric programmes, directly benefiting 5,456 farmers across diverse agro-climatic regions of the country.

The Khet Bachao Abhiyaan also emphasized key components of sustainable agriculture, including soil testing, Soil Health Card awareness, balanced nutrient management, natural farming, water conservation, use of quality seed, 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.

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."

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 maximize 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.

A total of 17 multidisciplinary teams, including six teams from the ICAR-CPRI headquarters at Shimla, remained in the field throughout the month. The teams visited villages, organized awareness programmes, conducted diagnostic surveys, and interacted directly with farmers to address field-level challenges while providing timely technical advisories for effective crop protection.

The successful implementation of the Khet Bachao Abhiyaan underscores ICAR-CPRI's unwavering commitment to bridging the gap between laboratory research and farmers' fields. By combining scientific expertise with extensive field outreach, the institute has reaffirmed its role in empowering farmers with knowledge, technology, and timely advisory services for building a resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector.

(Source: ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla)