ICAR IIHR Organises Khet Bachao Abhiyan Programme on Soil Health and Natural Farming; Launches NMNF Funded Research Project at Gandhi Sahaja Besaya Ashrama, Tumakuru

The programme brought together scientists, natural farming practitioners, extension personnel, and farmers to deliberate on soil health restoration, sustainable nutrient management, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and scientific approaches to natural farming. The event provided a valuable platform for interaction between researchers and farmers on the opportunities and challenges associated with transitioning to sustainable farming systems.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. N. Loganandhan, Project Coordinator, ICAR-KVK, Tumakuru, who highlighted the importance of farmer awareness and capacity building in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr. M. Sankaran, Principal Investigator of the project and Head, Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR-IIHR, introduced the NMNF-funded project and outlined its objectives. He explained that the project seeks to scientifically assess ecosystem services generated by fruit-based natural farming systems, including improvements in soil health, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, pollination services, carbon sequestration, and resource-use efficiency. He emphasized the need for robust scientific evidence to support policy formulation and the wider adoption of natural farming practices.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. H. Manjunath, Director, Gandhi Sahaja Besaya Ashrama, highlighted the importance of restoring soil health and ecological balance through natural farming. He encouraged farmers to gradually adopt natural farming practices and integrate traditional agricultural wisdom with sustainable farming approaches.

In his presidential address, Dr. T. K. Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR, stressed the urgent need to address soil degradation caused by excessive and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He emphasized that natural farming practices must be scientifically evaluated and supported through evidence-based research. He also highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation, beneficial soil microorganisms, integrated farming systems, and climate-resilient agriculture in ensuring long-term sustainability.

The technical session featured a series of expert presentations by scientists of ICAR-IIHR. Dr. T. R. Rupa, Principal Scientist, Division of Natural Resource Management, delivered a lecture on soil health management and discussed sustainable approaches for maintaining soil fertility and productivity. Dr. G. A. Atheequlla, Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIHR, elaborated on the importance of soil health as the foundation of sustainable agriculture and explained methods for monitoring soil quality through soil testing and scientific nutrient management.

Dr. Chaithra M. Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIHR delivered a presentation on the soil microbiome, highlighting the role of beneficial microorganisms in nutrient cycling, maintenance of soil health, and suppression of soil-borne pathogens. Dr. S. N. Bhagyashree, Senior Scientist, ICAR-IIHR discussed the importance of pollinators and beekeeping in sustainable fruit production systems and emphasized their critical role in enhancing crop productivity and conserving biodiversity. Dr. P. L. Anushma, Scientist, ICAR-IIHR presented the scope and objectives of the NMNF-funded natural farming project, outlining its research framework, expected outcomes, and its role in generating scientific evidence on ecosystem services associated with fruit-based natural farming systems in South India.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. G. A. Atheequlla and Dr. Sridhar Gutam, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru. The event concluded with an interactive session during which farmers and practitioners discussed soil health restoration, traditional agricultural knowledge, soil microbial diversity, climate change, certification, residue-free food production, and market opportunities for naturally grown produce. Scientists emphasized the importance of long-term studies to evaluate crop quality, nutritional value, ecosystem services, and the environmental benefits of natural farming systems.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and a collective call for strengthening collaboration among farmers, scientists, extension agencies, and natural farming practitioners to promote sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible agricultural systems.