Suttur, June 30, 2026: To protect the fertility of agricultural land and promote sustainable farming practices, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the ambitious Khet Bachao (Save Agricultural Land) Campaign across Mysuru district. The special campaign, organised in collaboration with ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur and the Department of Agriculture, was conducted from June 1 to June 30.
As part of the campaign, more than 1,000 farmers and farm women from 86 villages across 7 taluks of Mysuru district were reached through field visits, awareness meetings and direct interactions.
The campaign focused on creating awareness among farmers about the declining fertility of agricultural land caused by the excessive and unscientific use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Experts highlighted that continuous overuse of chemicals is affecting soil health and may adversely impact food production for future generations.
Through village-level meetings and demonstrations, farmers were educated on the importance of soil health, scientific soil testing, balanced nutrient management, organic and natural fertilizers, and sustainable farming methods. Awareness was also created on the use of Jeevamrut, Gokripamrut, Bijamrut, and other eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Officials from the Agriculture Department and ATMA, along with six subject experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, were divided into two teams. The teams visited two villages in different taluks every day and interacted with farmers through practical demonstrations.
Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr. B.N. Gnanesh, subject experts Smt. H.V. Divya, Shri Shamraj, Dr. Rakshitraj, Dr. G.M. Vinay, Dr. Y. Prasad and Dr. Deepak, along with officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry Departments, actively participated in the campaign.
On the concluding day of the campaign, the Khet Bachao Abhiyan and Agricultural Awareness Programme was successfully organised at Mallahalli village in Nanjangud taluk, in association with TVS Srinivasan Services Trust, Nanjangud.
Speaking at the programme, Shri Naveen from TVS Srinivasan Services Trust said the initiative was organised to create awareness among farmers about the application of scientific technologies in agriculture, protection of soil health and adoption of sustainable farming practices.
Dr. G.M. Vinay, Horticultural Scientist, ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, explained the importance of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan. He said the adoption of organic farming, use of beneficial microorganisms, proper application of farmyard manure, vermicompost and bio-amrit, balanced use of chemical fertilizers and multiple cropping systems in horticulture crops would help improve soil fertility and increase farmers’ income.
Plant Protection Scientist Dr. Y. Prasad provided information on Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in crops such as banana, coconut, cotton and maize. He advised farmers to adopt biological and scientific methods for the integrated management of pests and diseases.
Presiding over the programme, Dr. B.N. Gnanesh, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, stressed the importance of soil testing. He said good yields and long-term agricultural development are possible through soil test-based fertilizer management, green manure crops and sustainable agricultural practices that protect soil health.
On the occasion, soil testing was conducted for selected farmers’ lands, and soil health certificates were distributed to the farmers.
