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ICAR-CIFRI Takes Khet Bachao Abhiyan to Tripura: Empowering Farmers in Dhalai District through Healthy Soils, Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Sustainable Fisheries

3^rd November 2026
Gandatwisa, Tripura
Reinforcing the importance of scientific farming, healthy soils and sustainable fisheries for resilient rural livelihoods, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Regional Centre, Guwahati, Assam, organised a Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme at Gandatwisa in Dhalai district of Tripura on 3 November 2026, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Tripura. The programme was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, and coordinated by Dr. Sullip Kumar Majhi, Principal Scientist and Head, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati. A total of 48 farmers, comprising 33 male and 15 female participants, actively participated in the programme. The initiative focused on sensitising farmers to the critical relationship between soil health, crop productivity, aquatic ecosystem conservation and sustainable livelihood development. It emphasised the need to adopt scientifically informed and climate-resilient agricultural and fisheries practices, ensuring efficient utilisation of natural resources while maintaining long-term productivity and environmental sustainability. Addressing the farmers, Dr. Majhi highlighted the importance of soil-test-based fertiliser application, balanced nutrient management and integrated nutrient management for maintaining soil fertility and improving crop productivity. He stressed the judicious use of chemical fertilisers in conjunction with organic manures and bio-fertilisers, discouraging indiscriminate application of fertilisers and promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices. He also underlined the importance of climate-resilient farming approaches in addressing emerging challenges associated with climate variability and natural resource degradation. Dr. Shyamal C. S. Das, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati, elaborated on the scientific management of pond-based aquaculture, particularly the recommended fertiliser doses and their appropriate application for maintaining pond productivity and water quality. He also sensitised the participants to improved agricultural and fisheries technologies that can enhance farm productivity, optimise resource utilisation and strengthen the economic viability of integrated farming systems.

In his message, Dr. Dey emphasised the need to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and their field-level application through context-specific, science-driven interventions to address the challenges faced by farmers and fishers under the Khet Bachao Abhiyan. He highlighted the importance of maintaining soil health, ensuring balanced nutrient application, minimising the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, improving pond management practices, conserving natural resources, and promoting the adoption of climate-adaptive production technologies. He further envisioned fostering resilient, economically self-reliant, and environmentally conscious agricultural and fisheries communities by ensuring sustainable livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience, thereby contributing to the realisation of Viksit Bharat @2047. The Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme at Gandatwisa translated the broader national priorities into farmer-level awareness by bringing together agricultural and fisheries advisories on a common platform. The interaction provided an opportunity for farmers to understand the importance of balanced nutrient application, scientific pond management, conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the adoption of sustainable production practices. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Madan Tripura, Superintendent of Fisheries, Dhalai District, Government of Tripura, who acknowledged the efforts of ICAR-CIFRI and the participating farmers in making the programme successful. Through such farmer-oriented initiatives, ICAR-CIFRI continues to strengthen the interface between scientific institutions, state departments and farming communities, promoting the conservation of natural resources, sustainable fisheries development and resilient agricultural livelihoods.