The Khet Bachao Abhiyan was launched by the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research
Institute (ICAR-CIARI) and its units at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), South Andaman,
North & Middle Andaman, and Car Nicobar, in collaboration with the Department of
Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration and the Union Territory Agriculture
Technology Management Agency (ATMA), A&N Islands.
The campaign aims to strengthen farmers’ awareness and promote sustainable agricultural
practices by providing practical information and technical guidance directly at the village
level. The major focus areas of the campaign include the benefits of soil testing, balanced and
efficient fertilizer use, opportunities available under the Pulses, Oilseeds and Cotton
Missions, and information on various government schemes, subsidies, and support
programmes for farmers.
As part of the campaign, a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to organize a series of
outreach programmes involving input dealers, local dealers, members and representatives of
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), cooperative societies, current and former
Sarpanches, Zila Parishad members, community representatives, farm innovators, Farmer
Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs),
and progressive farmers. These stakeholder-oriented programmes are expected to facilitate
wider dissemination of scientific agricultural knowledge and government initiatives among
farming communities across the Islands.
The inaugural programme of the campaign was organized at Namunaghar, South Andaman,
where 30 farmers actively participated. The programme was attended by scientists from
ICAR-CIARI and ICAR-KVK South Andaman, officials from the Department of Agriculture,
Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and local farmers.
During the programme, the experts highlighted the importance of soil health management and
encouraged farmers to undertake regular soil testing for scientific nutrient management.
Farmers were informed about the advantages of balanced and efficient fertilizer use in
improving crop productivity, reducing input costs, and maintaining long-term soil fertility.
Detailed information was also provided on various government schemes and support
programmes available for enhancing agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods.
The campaign will continue across different villages of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
with the objective of reaching a large number of farmers and promoting sustainable, climate-
resilient, and profitable agriculture through scientific interventions and effective extension
services.