Sri Vijaya Puram, June 12: A mega awareness –cum- interaction programme under “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” was organized at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nimbudera in collaboration with ATMA & KVK, Nimbudera, Mayabunder, North & Middle Andaman district.
Shri. Debabrata Basantia, Director of Agriculture welcomed the Pradhan and Up-Pradhan of Basantipur Gram Panchayat along with other participants who joined both online and offline mode. He highlighted the campaign’s objective, urging farmers to use fertilizers and pesticides judiciously as per recommended dosage. Stressing that continuous use of heavy inorganic fertilizers hardens soil and depletes fertility and called for a paradigm shift towards balanced fertilizer use. He encouraged farmers to adopt bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides to enhance productivity and recommended green manure crops such as Dhaincha and Sunhemp to improve soil fertility and quality. He also motivated farmers to enroll in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the upcoming Kharif season, emphasizing that the premium cost is zero for farmers.
Joining via video conference, Smti. S. Banumathi, Deputy Director, Directorate of Extension, ATMA, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, explained the government’s mandate to implement the campaign and its importance in the current agricultural scenario. She urged the farmers of the Union Territory to adopt balanced fertilizer doses according to crop requirements.
An interactive session with farmers was followed by addressing their queries. The program concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Smti. Shirly Thomas, Joint Director (Agri.), N&M Andaman. Altogether, 46 participants attended the campaign, marking a significant step towards promoting sustainable farming practices and safeguarding soil health in the islands.