News Updates 2026

Mysuru, June 19, 2026: ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Suttur, in association with the Department of Agriculture, Ilawala, organised a Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme at Gunchralachhatra village in Mysuru taluk to create awareness among farmers on organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.

Speaking at the programme, Dr. Vinay G.M., Subject Matter Specialist, ICAR-JSS KVK, explained the objective and importance of Khet Bachao Abhiyan. He highlighted the role of soil and biofertilizers in agriculture and called upon farmers to reduce the use of herbicides to maintain soil fertility and soil moisture. He also informed that the use of green manure crops helps improve soil fertility by increasing nitrogen and organic carbon content in the soil.

Dr. Rakshitraj, Subject Matter Specialist, emphasised that dairy farming plays an important role in organic and natural farming systems. He provided information on nutritious feed, different types of fodder and mineral mixtures for cattle. He also explained disease control measures and the importance of vaccination for livestock health management.

Dr. Deepak, Subject Matter Specialist, briefed farmers on various entrepreneurship schemes of the Central and State Governments. He advised farmers to form self-help groups and Farmer Producer Organisations to effectively access the benefits of these schemes.

Shri Vinay, Agriculture Officer, Ilawala, advised farmers to apply farmyard manure to agricultural lands as recommended by agricultural experts to sustain soil fertility. He encouraged the use of short-duration crop varieties and suggested planning two to three crops in a year. He also provided information on various schemes and subsidies available through the Department of Agriculture.

Following the programme, experts visited farmers’ fields and provided technical guidance on crop and soil management practices.

Krishi Sakhis of Ilawala hobli, Smt. Rajalakshmi, Smt. Pratima and Smt. Padma, along with more than 70 farmers, participated in the programme.

H.D. Kote, June 16, 2026: The Department of Agriculture, ATMA Yojana, ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Suttur, and ATMA Mysuru jointly organized a Khet Bachao Campaign at Hampapur village in H.D. Kote taluk to create awareness among farmers on soil health management and crop disease control.

During the programme, KVK scientists and Agriculture Department officials educated farmers on the importance of soil testing, soil health management, green manure cultivation, organic farming, and natural farming practices in agriculture and horticulture crops. Based on soil test results, farmers were advised on scientific nutrient management practices. The importance of green manure crops and organic farming in improving soil fertility and sustaining crop productivity was also highlighted.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. B.N. Gyanesh, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR-JSS KVK, Suttur, explained sustainable soil health management practices and natural farming methods such as Jeevamrutha, Gokripamrutha, and Bijamrutha. He emphasized their role in enhancing soil fertility and reducing dependence on chemical inputs.

Shri Prasad, Assistant Director of Agriculture, H.D. Kote, stressed the importance of conserving soil resources to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability. KVK subject matter specialists Shri Shamraj, Dr. Vinay G.M., and Dr. Rakshitraj, along with ATMA Sub-Project Director Satish and Agriculture Officer Siddappaswamy, provided guidance on maintaining soil health and adopting scientific crop management practices.

As part of the campaign, a field visit was conducted to maize fields in Hampapur village affected by Downy Mildew disease (Kedige disease). Scientists and Agriculture Department officials explained the symptoms, mode of spread, and integrated disease management measures directly in the field and provided appropriate recommendations to farmers.

The programme witnessed active participation from Agriculture Department officials, ATMA staff, farmers, and women farmers, who interacted with experts and clarified their queries related to crop and soil management. The campaign concluded with an appeal to farmers to maintain soil health, adopt natural farming practices, and implement integrated crop disease management measures for sustainable agriculture.

More than 150 farmers including both men and women farmers participated in the programme.

Suttur, June 10, 2026: With the objective of protecting agricultural land fertility and promoting sustainable farming practices, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has launched the Khet Bachao (Save Agricultural Land) Campaign across Mysuru district. The month-long campaign, being implemented in collaboration with the ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the Department of Agriculture, commenced on June 1 and will continue until June 30, 2026.

The campaign aims to address the growing concern of excessive and unscientific use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which has led to declining soil fertility and deteriorating soil health. Experts have cautioned that continued degradation of agricultural land could adversely affect food production and agricultural sustainability in the future.

As part of the campaign, awareness programmes are being conducted in villages to educate farmers on the importance of soil health, scientific soil testing, balanced nutrient management, use of organic and natural fertilizers, and sustainable farming practices. Farmers are also being sensitized to the benefits of traditional inputs such as Jeevamrut, Gokripamrut, and Bijamrut for maintaining soil productivity and ecological balance.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. B.N. Gyanesh, Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, emphasized that maintaining soil health is essential for securing the future of agriculture. He urged farmers to undertake regular soil testing and apply fertilizers based on recommendations provided through Soil Health Cards. He also stressed the collective responsibility of preserving agricultural land and passing it on to future generations in a fertile and productive condition.

To ensure extensive outreach, six subject matter specialists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, along with officials from the Agriculture Department, have been divided into two teams. These teams are conducting awareness meetings and field demonstrations in villages across different taluks of the district every day.

On June 5, 2026, MLA Shri G.T. Devegowda participated in the Khet Bachao campaign at Jayapura village in Mysuru taluk and addressed farmers on the importance of scientific fertilizer application and soil testing for sustainable agricultural development.

The campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, MyCaps, ITC, and JSS Ayurveda Medical College. Awareness programmes have so far been conducted in villages including Kanagal and K. Basavanahalli in Periyapatna taluk, and Suttur, Chinnamballi, Kirugunda, Horalavadi, Alambur, Ayarahalli, and Hadajana in Mysuru taluk.

The campaign is being actively supported by Krishi Vigyan Kendra experts Smt. H.V. Divya, Shri Shamraj, Dr. U.M. Rakshitraj, Dr. G.M. Vinay, Dr. Y.P. Prasad, and Dr. Deepak, along with officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry Departments.

Suttur, June 10, 2026: Awareness and capacity-building programmes were organised at Debur, Hullahalli, and Hartale villages in Nanjangud taluk on the 10th day of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan.

As part of the campaign, scientists from KVK provided detailed guidance to farmers on scientific paddy cultivation, balanced and judicious use of fertilizers, the importance of bio-fertilizers, the benefits of green manure for improving soil health, and the promotion of natural farming practices.

The experts interacted with farmers and encouraged them to adopt sustainable agricultural methods to improve productivity, maintain soil fertility, reduce cultivation costs, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.

The programme also created awareness on improved crop management practices and eco-friendly farming methods aimed at achieving better yields and profitability.

Subject Matter Experts Smt. H.V. Divya, Shri Shamraj, Dr. U.M. Rakshitraj, Dr. G.M. Vinay, Dr. Deepak, and officials from the Agriculture Department participated in the campaign on behalf of KVK.

Suttur, June 11, 2026: As part of the ongoing Khet Bachao (Save Agricultural Land) Campaign, ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, in collaboration with DATC, Mysuru, and the Department of Agriculture, organized awareness programmes at Kasuvinahalli and Lakshmanapura villages in Nanjangud taluk on June 11, 2026.

The programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp. During the event, Smt. H.V. Divya, Seed Technology Expert from ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, conducted a demonstration on seed treatment and provided detailed information on the use of organic fertilizers, as well as the importance of Jeevamrut, Gokripamrut, and Beejamrut in sustainable agriculture.

Resource person Shri J.G. Rajanna highlighted the importance of soil health and emphasized that farmers should undertake regular soil testing and apply fertilizers based on recommendations provided through Soil Health Cards. Dr. R.N. Puppa, Plant Pathologist from the Department of Agriculture, educated farmers on the use of biological pesticides as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for managing pests and diseases in various crops.

Agriculture Officer Smt. Madhuri informed farmers about the various subsidy schemes and support programmes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture for the benefit of the farming community.

The programme was welcomed and coordinated by Smt. M.B. Manjula. More than 100 farmers, including a large number of women farmers, participated in the programme and actively interacted with the scientists and experts on sustainable farming practices.

The campaign continues to create awareness among farmers on soil conservation, scientific crop management, and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity and ensuring long-term soil health.