**Executive Summary**
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) intensified a nationwide awareness campaign on the balanced use of fertilisers in May 2026 to prepare for the upcoming Kharif season. Through intensive field camps, scientist interactions, and training sessions held across multiple states on May 18–19, 2026, the initiative promotes soil health and sustainable nutrient management. The campaign aims to reduce chemical fertiliser consumption and lower input costs while ensuring long-term food security.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Campaign Objectives and Methods**
* Promote sustainable agriculture and safeguard soil health through the nationwide network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and research institutes.
* Educate farmers and stakeholders on soil test-based nutrient management, integrated nutrient practices, and eco-friendly alternatives.
* Utilize diverse outreach methods, including field camps, farmer-scientist interactions, training programs, and school-level awareness drives.
**Regional Activities and Training Focus**
* **Punjab:** Focused on educating school students on the importance of soil testing and balanced fertiliser use to preserve soil fertility.
* **West Bengal & Odisha:** Conducted sessions on judicious fertiliser application, soil test-based management for various crops, and scientific seedbed treatment for Kharif Paddy.
* **Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan:** Implemented the "Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav" program focusing on green manuring, biofertilisers, precision agriculture, and organic farming practices.
* **Uttarakhand & Telangana:** Organized field days and intensive awareness meetings regarding organic fertilisers and livestock-based nutrient recycling.
**Technical Strategies for Kharif 2026**
* Implementation of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and the use of bio-fertilisers.
* Adoption of vermicomposting and the scientific application of farmyard manure (FYM).
* Promotion of livestock-based nutrient recycling and green manuring to improve crop productivity and sustainability.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers and Farm Women**
**Impact**
They receive technical knowledge on scientific seed treatment, healthy nursery management, and crop-specific nutrient requirements (such as for Soybean and Paddy).
**Action Required**
Adopt soil test-based application of fertilisers and integrate biofertilisers and organic manures into their farming practices for the Kharif 2026 season.
**Stakeholder: Students**
**Impact**
Increased awareness regarding the long-term importance of soil health and the environmental impact of balanced fertiliser use.
**Action Required**
Participate in educational camps and disseminate the message of soil conservation within their communities.
**Stakeholder: ICAR and Research Institutes (KVKs)**
**Impact**
Strengthened reach and engagement with rural communities, fulfilling the government’s vision for sustainable agriculture.
**Action Required**
Continue conducting intensive monitoring and training sessions across states to ensure the successful adoption of sustainable practices.
**Stakeholder: Panchayat Representatives**
**Impact**
Involvement in local awareness programs ensures better community leadership in agricultural sustainability.
**Action Required**
Support the coordination of awareness programmes and encourage local farmer participation in KVK initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The lead organization conducting a nationwide awareness drive to promote sustainable agriculture and the balanced use of fertilisers.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): A network of agricultural science centres responsible for implementing field camps, farmer-scientist interactions, and training programs across various states.
Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav: A specific outreach program used as a platform to organize awareness meetings and technical sessions on balanced fertiliser use in villages.
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): The primary agricultural framework promoted by the campaign to improve soil health, increase nutrient efficiency, and reduce chemical fertiliser consumption.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
ICAR Leads Nationwide Awareness Campaign on
Balanced Use of Fertilisers ahead of Kharif 2026
KVKs and Institutes conducts Field Camps, Farmer-Scientist
Interactions, and Training Programs across States
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 6:43PM by PIB Delhi
In line with the Government’s vision of promoting sustainable agriculture and safeguarding soil health, the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has intensified its nationwide awareness drive on the
balanced use of fertilisers. Through its network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and research institutes, ICAR is
conducting intensive campaigns to motivational educate farmers, students, and stakeholders on soil test-
based nutrient management, integrated nutrient practices, and eco-friendly alternatives. As part of this
initiative, being undertaken since almost one month multiple programmes were organised across the
country between during the last two days (May 18-19, 2026).
Punjab: KVK Fazilka, Abohar, organised an awareness camp for school students on the balanced use of
fertilisers and the importance of soil testing, with the message “संतुलत उवरक अपनाएँ, मी क उवरा श
बचाएँ।”.
West Bengal: Under the ongoing awareness campaign on balanced use of fertilisers, KVK Burdwan
organised awareness camps at Bud Bud, Galsi-I, on May 18, 2026, and at Bhasapur, Galsi-II, on May 19,
2026, focusing on the judicious use of fertilisers and sustainable nutrient management practices.
Further, RAKVK, Nimpith, South 24 Parganas, organised a training programme on “Soil Test-Based
Nutrient Management in Different Crops” on May 19, 2026. Similarly, Kalimpong KVK conducted an
awareness programme on balanced use of fertilisers at Sangsey village under Kalimpong Block-II, which
was attended by Panchayat representatives and farmers.
In addition, DDKVK, Dakshin Dinajpur, organised a training programme on Seed and Seedbed Treatment
of Kharif Paddy at Batun, Kumarganj, with the participation of 31 farmers and farm women. Emphasis
was laid on scientific seed treatment practices and healthy nursery management for improving crop
productivity and sustainability.Odisha: KVK Boudh organised an awareness campaign on balanced use of fertiliser at Harbhanga Block
of Boudh district on May 19, 2026, with 30 participants.
Madhya Pradesh: ICAR–Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur, organised a farmer–scientist
interaction-cum-awareness programme on balanced use of fertilisers on May 19, 2026, at Raithra village,
Patan block, Jabalpur district. A total of 34 farmers, including 22 male and 12 female participants,
attended.At the same time, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal, also conducted a campaign on balanced use of fertilisers at Amla
Village, Sehore, on May 18, 2026, focusing on green manuring, biofertilisers, precision agriculture and
sustainable practices for Kharif 2026. Under the ‘Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav’ programme, a team organised
an awareness meeting on “Balanced Use of Fertilizers in Soybean” at Mundana village, Nalchha block,
Dhar district, on May 19, 2026.
Rajasthan: ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (IIRMR), Bharatpur, organised a one-
day Kisan Sangoshthi at Randhirpura village on May 19, 2026, under the “Mera Gaon–Mera Gaurav”
programme to create awareness among farmers on the balanced use of fertilisers, soil health enhancement,
green manuring, and natural and organic farming practices.
Telangana: ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research , Hyderabad organised an awareness programme under
the Intensive Campaign on Balanced Use of Fertilizers at Mammudugutta Village, Balanagar Mandal,
Mahboobnagar district, on May 19, 2026, with 19 farmers participating.Uttar Pradesh: A ‘Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav’ programme on balanced fertiliser use was organised on May
19, 2026, at Devati village, Mohanlalganj block, Lucknow.
Uttarakhand: ICAR-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal,Nainital organised a
field day on use of organic fertiliser in Pandechhore village, Bhimtal block, Nainital, on May 19, 2026.
Overall, the campaign promotes sustainable agricultural practices through Integrated Nutrient
Management (INM), use of bio-fertilisers, vermicomposting, scientific application of farmyard manure
(FYM), livestock-based nutrient recycling, and green manuring practices to reduce chemical fertiliser
consumption during Kharif 2026. These coordinated efforts by ICAR aim to ensure food security, improve
nutrient use efficiency, reduce input costs, and safeguard long-term soil health.
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