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Khet Bachao Abhiyan to drive sustainable agriculture across India
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Thursday, 22 October, 2026, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will launch the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan – Rabi 2026’ from October 22 to November 30, 2026, to promote sustainable agricultural practices, improve soil health and encourage the efficient use of agricultural resources. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the campaign from Karnal, Haryana.
The campaign aims to raise awareness among farmers about the balanced use of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs based on soil testing, crop diversification, water conservation and sustainable farming practices. It will focus on promoting oilseeds, pulses and horticulture, improving the utilisation of fallow fields after paddy harvesting, and encouraging effective crop residue management. Training programmes and field demonstrations will also promote natural farming, organic and bio-based agricultural products, regenerative agriculture and integrated farming systems.
Key focus areas include soil health management, integrated pest management, climate-resilient agriculture, intercropping, efficient water use, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. The campaign will also promote farm mechanisation and the adoption of improved agricultural technologies to enhance productivity while conserving natural resources. Awareness about the appropriate use of fertilisers, including green ammonia, and biological products will also be encouraged.
Alongside sustainable farming, the initiative will facilitate the creation of Farmer IDs, promote crop insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and expand enrolment under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme. Farmers will also be informed about opportunities arising from trade agreements, while seed distribution and the promotion of oilseed and pulse cultivation will form part of the outreach programme.
Awareness programmes, farmers’ conferences, Kisan Chaupals, training sessions and field demonstrations will be organised at the state, district, block and Gram Panchayat levels. State Agriculture Departments will collaborate with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, State Agricultural Universities and Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) to ensure broad participation. Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives, Self-Help Groups, agricultural scientists and progressive farmers will also contribute to the campaign.
The government plans to reach approximately one crore participants through ATMA and ICAR networks. A total of 4,150 teams involving KVKs and ATMA are envisaged, with more than 12,000 scientists and ATMA functionaries expected to participate. Local-language publicity materials, radio, Doordarshan, social media and other information, education and communication activities will support wider dissemination of campaign messages.
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will coordinate with state governments, ICAR institutions and other stakeholders to oversee implementation and monitor progress, with emphasis on farmer participation and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Through the campaign, the government aims to strengthen soil and water conservation, encourage cost-effective farming, improve resource-use efficiency and enhance the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture, contributing to farmers’ prosperity and the vision of Viksit Bharat.
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