Khet Bachao Abhiyan
Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) announced major achievements under the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, aimed at promoting balanced fertilizer use and sustainable farming practices.
About Khet Bachao Abhiyan:
What it is?
- ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ is a nationwide awareness and capacity-building campaign launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
Aim:
- To encourage soil test-based nutrient management and reduce excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers.
- To improve soil fertility, enhance sustainable agricultural productivity, and promote environmentally responsible farming practices.
Key Features:
- Nationwide Awareness Campaign: A total of 12,979 awareness camps and seminars were conducted, directly engaging 7.17 lakh farmers across the country.
- Capacity Building & Demonstrations: Over 3,145 training programmes and 7,928 field demonstrations promoted green manuring, bio-fertilizers, and organic nutrient sources.
- Multi-Platform Outreach: The campaign used media broadcasts, social media, farmer groups, and local governance institutions to reach 2.712 crore citizens nationwide.
Significance:
- Encourages scientific fertilizer use and improves long-term soil fertility, reducing environmental degradation caused by chemical overuse.
- Enhances farmers’ understanding of balanced nutrient management, supporting higher productivity and resilient agricultural systems.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
- GS Paper 3
- Agriculture and allied sectors
- Food security and agricultural reforms
- Environmental conservation in agriculture
- GS Paper 2
- Government schemes and interventions in agriculture
