As part of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan 2026, farmer awareness programmes and field demonstrations are being progressing successfully across the Nicobar Islands. The campaign is jointly organized by ICAR-KVK, CIARI Nicobar and the Department of Agriculture, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, and is currently underway in Car Nicobar, Nancowry and Campbell Bay, witnessing enthusiastic participation from farmers and other stakeholders. The programme emphasizes the importance of maintaining soil health through sustainable agricultural practices, particularly through the promotion of organic and natural farming approaches.
Farmers are being sensitized to the long-term benefits of soil conservation, efficient nutrient management, and environmentally friendly crop production practices that contribute to the sustainability and resilience of island farming systems. The campaign has provided an effective platform for interaction between farmers and technical experts, enabling discussions on field-level challenges related to crop production, soil fertility management, pest control, and natural resource conservation. During these interactions, farmers actively shared their experiences and concerns, while extension personnel provided practical solutions and technical guidance. As part of the ongoing programme, demonstrations are also being conducted across the Nicobar Islands on the use of bio-consortia for enhancing soil health and crop productivity, natural farming inputs such as Beejamritha and Jeevamritha for nutrient and plant health management, neem oil for eco-friendly plant protection, and green leaf manuring for improving soil fertility and also increasing organic matter content.
The programme is being co-ordinated by Dr. Santosh Kumar, Head, ICAR-KVK CIARI Nicobar under the guidance of Dr. Jai Sunder, Director of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijayapuram, with the objective of promoting sustainable farming practices, enriching soil health, and strengthening the resilience and productivity of agriculture in the Nicobar Islands. Till date programme have covered more than 350 farmers and stakeholder across the Nicobar Islands.