Sri Vijaya Puram, June 22, 2026: Under the ongoing nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, organized an awareness and capacity-building programme on sustainable soil and crop management practices at Wimberlygunj Village, South Andaman, on June 22, 2026.
The programme was jointly conducted by Dr. Abhilash, Scientist (Natural Resource Management), Dr. Jess Maria Wilson, Scientist (Fisheries), ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram, and Shri Mohit, Subject Matter Specialist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sippighat, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), South Andaman.
A total of 15 farmers, comprising 9 male and 6 female participants, attended the programme and actively participated in the interactive sessions. During the deliberations, the experts emphasized that maintaining soil health is essential for sustaining agricultural productivity, enhancing resilience to climatic variability, and ensuring long-term farm sustainability. Farmers were encouraged to undertake regular soil testing to assess nutrient deficiencies and adopt balanced and need-based nutrient application strategies.
The scientific team highlighted the importance of integrated soil fertility management through the combined use of organic manures, biological inputs, and judicious fertilizer application. Discussions focused on the benefits of green manuring, recycling of farm residues, and inclusion of legumes in cropping systems to improve soil fertility, enhance soil organic carbon, and promote efficient nutrient cycling.
Special emphasis was placed on legume-based crop diversification as a means of enriching soil nitrogen through biological fixation and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Farmers were also sensitized to the use of indigenous bio-formulations such as Jeevamrut and Neemastra for improving soil microbial activity, enhancing nutrient availability, and promoting eco-friendly crop production practices.
The participants actively engaged with the experts, seeking guidance on practical approaches for improving soil health and reducing cultivation costs. The farmers appreciated the initiative and expressed their willingness to adopt the recommended technologies for achieving sustainable and profitable farming.
The programme concluded with a call for collective efforts towards conservation of soil resources and wider adoption of scientifically validated sustainable agricultural practices in line with the objectives of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan.