Nationwide campaign focuses on soil conservation, balanced fertiliser use, water management, and long-term agricultural sustainability amid growing environmental challenges.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ (Save Farms Campaign) to encourage sustainable and profitable farming practices. The initiative comes at a time when Indian agriculture is facing challenges including climate change, declining soil fertility, falling groundwater levels, and the excessive use of chemical fertilisers.
The campaign is built around the message: “If soil is protected, farming will survive, farmers will prosper, and the nation will thrive.” Agricultural experts involved in the initiative emphasize that soil health remains critical for maintaining agricultural productivity and ensuring food security. They note that continued deterioration in soil quality can lead to lower crop yields, rising cultivation expenses, and long-term threats to food production.
As part of the campaign, Indian Potash Limited (IPL) is undertaking awareness programmes to educate farmers on soil health management, balanced nutrient application, and modern agricultural practices.
Experts associated with the initiative point out that while the Green Revolution significantly increased foodgrain production, the excessive and unbalanced use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has adversely impacted soil quality in several regions. Overuse of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash has affected nutrient balance, while reductions in beneficial microorganisms and organic carbon have weakened the soil’s ability to retain water.
One of the central components of the campaign is the promotion of Soil Health Cards, which provide scientific recommendations regarding nutrient deficiencies and fertiliser requirements for individual farms. The programme aims to support balanced fertiliser application, lower input costs, and help maintain soil fertility over the long term.
The campaign also encourages the adoption of natural and organic farming methods. Farmers are being trained to use farmyard manure, compost, vermicompost, and green manure as alternatives that can improve soil health and support sustainable agricultural productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Addressing concerns related to water scarcity, the initiative highlights water conservation measures such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and other water-efficient farming technologies. Training programmes are also being conducted on seed treatment, balanced nutrient management, modern sowing methods, crop diversification, and selecting crops suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
Additionally, the campaign seeks to protect farmers from financial losses linked to counterfeit fertilisers and pesticides by providing information on identifying quality agricultural inputs and ensuring their proper use.
Dr P.S. Gahlaut, Managing Director of Indian Potash Limited, said that the use of balanced fertilisers, Soil Health Cards, organic manures, and micronutrients can significantly improve soil health. He added that amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and rising global fertiliser prices, the need for soil conservation and balanced nutrient management has become more critical than ever.
