Agartala, 23rd October 2026 : Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sepahijala, CAU (I), Tripura, organized ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ (Save the Farm Campaign) to promote sustainable crop production systems, improve soil health and fertility, disseminate scientific soil and nutrient management practices, and enhance farmers’ awareness of resource-use efficiency and climate-resilient agricultural technologies during the Rabi season.
The programme is being implemented under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Anupam Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, with technical guidance from Dr. Ng. Iboyaima, Director, Directorate of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal, and Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Director, ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Zone VII, Umiam, Meghalaya. The initiative is being coordinated under the guidance of Prof. Arun Bhai Patel, Dean, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, and the supervision of Dr. Shatabhisa Sarkar, Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sepahijala.
The campaign was formally inaugurated by Shri Radhaballab Debnath, Vice-Chairperson, Charilam Panchayat Samiti, in the presence of Dr. Utpal Dey, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection), KVK-Sepahijala, Dr. Ayam Pushparani Devi, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), KVK-Sepahijala, Biswajit Das, VLW, Chesrimai and other stakeholders.
As part of the campaign, an awareness and demonstration programme was conducted on October 23, 2026, at Chesrimai village under Charilam Block in Sepahijala district. Shri Radhaballab Debnath, Vice-Chairperson, Charilam Panchayat Samiti, encouraged farmers to minimize their reliance on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides by adopting eco-friendly nutrient and pest management practices, including the application of Jeevamrut, farmyard manure and vermicompost, to improve soil fertility, maintain ecological balance, and promote the production of safe and quality food.
During the programme, Dr. Utpal Dey highlighted the major objectives of the campaign, emphasizing the adoption of soil-conserving agricultural practices, integrated soil fertility management and the judicious application of agricultural inputs for sustainable crop production. Farmers received technical guidance on the preparation and application of Jeevamrut, to support soil biological activity and nutrient cycling. The session also emphasized site-specific and balanced fertilizer management based on Soil Health Card recommendations to improve nutrient-use efficiency, prevent excessive fertilizer application and minimize the risk of soil degradation.
A dedicated awareness session highlighted the significance of Soil Health Cards in evaluating soil nutrient status and formulating crop-specific nutrient management strategies for balanced fertilization and sustainable soil productivity. Furthermore, educational posters illustrating the scientific cultivation practices of bitter gourd under natural farming systems were displayed and explained to the participating farmers. The poster-based awareness campaign also focused on the preparation and application of Ghana Jeevamrut as an organic soil-enrichment formulation and the use of straw mulching to conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, suppress weed growth, and improve soil health.
To strengthen practical learning, Dr. Utpal Dey conducted a hands-on demonstration of Jeevamrut preparation, enabling farmers to understand the procedure and its application in field conditions. Extension folders containing technical information on improved agricultural practices were also distributed among the participants.
The initiative seeks to strengthen farmers’ technical knowledge, encourage the adoption of ecologically sound farming practices and promote the conservation of soil resources while supporting sustainable and productive Rabi-season agriculture in Sepahijala district.
