CIFRI Awards
Jhargram ,W.B.
ICAR-CIFRI Spearheads Soil Health Restoration Drive among Jhargram Farmers under KhetBachaoAbhiyan Reinforcing the national mission of sustainable agriculture through the KhetBachaoAbhiyan, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) conducted two large-scale farmer awareness programmes on 10 June 2026 under the MeraGaonMeraGaurav (MGMG) initiative in Jhargram district of West Bengal. Organized under the guidance of Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, the programmes focused on soil health restoration, balanced nutrient management, natural farming, water conservation, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Addressing the gatherings, Dr. A.K. Das, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI highlighted the urgent need to reverse soil degradation through the judicious use of fertilizers and adoption of eco-friendly farming practices. He cautioned against the indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers, which adversely affects soil fertility, water quality, and long-term farm productivity. The interactive sessions provided a vibrant platform for farmers to discuss field-level challenges, share experiences, and explore practical solutions for improving productivity while conserving natural resources. Participants expressed keen interest in adopting sustainable farming approaches that promote both profitability and environmental stewardship. In his message, Dr. Pradip Dey emphasized that healthy soils are the cornerstone of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods. He noted that the KhetBachaoAbhiyan is not merely an awareness campaign but a movement to encourage farmers to embrace science-led, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible agricultural practices. He stressed that balanced nutrient management, water conservation, and natural farming are critical pathways for safeguarding soil health and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production systems for future generations.
