Imphal, 15 June 2026:
        As part of the month-long Khet Bachao Abhiyan campaign (1 June to 30 June 2026), the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, organized an Awareness Programme on Khet Bachao Abhiyan (KBA) at Oinam Nongthombam Leikai, Nambol Block, Manipur on 15 June 2026. The programme focused on promoting soil health restoration, sustainable crop production, efficient resource management, and climate-resilient agricultural practices among farming communities.
        Addressing the farmers, Dr. S. Basanta Singh, Head of Regional Centre, ICAR-Manipur Centre, highlighted the critical role of healthy soils in sustaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem services. He emphasized the adoption of integrated nutrient management, balanced fertilization, conservation of soil resources, and diversified farming systems for improving nutrient use efficiency, farm profitability, and long-term agricultural sustainability.
        A team of scientists comprising Dr. A. Ratankumar Singh, Senior Scientist (Plant Pathology); Dr. N. Anando Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy); Dr. Chongtham Sonia, Senior Scientist (Animal Sciences); and Dr. Konsam Sarika, Scientist (Genetics and Plant Breeding) delivered technical sessions on sustainable agricultural technologies.
        The scientists elaborated on the role of biopesticides and eco-friendly crop protection approaches for integrated pest and disease management, improved rice varieties for enhanced yield potential and agro-ecological adaptability, and balanced fertilizer application for optimizing nutrient availability and maintaining soil fertility. Scientific interventions for livestock-based integrated farming systems, including poultry, piggery, and cattle management, were also discussed to enhance farm diversification and livelihood security.
        As part of the technology dissemination activities, battery-operated sprayers and quality seed materials of improved rice varieties, including RC Maniphou 13, RC Maniphou 16, and RC Mani Chakhao 1, were distributed among farmers to facilitate adoption of improved crop production and plant protection technologies.
        The programme provided a platform for farmer–scientist interaction, enabling farmers to receive scientific advisory services on crop nutrition, pest and disease management, varietal selection, and livestock production practices. The initiative encouraged farmers to adopt location-specific technologies for improving productivity while conserving natural resources.
        A total of 34 farmers, including 16 women farmers, participated in the programme and actively interacted with the experts. The awareness programme was organized under the month-long Khet Bachao Abhiyan campaign (1–30 June 2026) of ICAR-Manipur Centre, aimed at strengthening awareness on soil health management, sustainable intensification of agriculture, and climate-smart farming practices across farming communities of Manipur.