Karnal: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday launched the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from Taraori in Haryana’s Karnal district, urging farmers to adopt balanced fertiliser use, crop rotation and natural farming to protect soil health.
The campaign will run from October 22 to November 30, 2026, with agricultural scientists and officials visiting villages across the country to raise awareness about sustainable farming. Chouhan warned that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides could damage soil fertility and pose risks to human health.
He said the Centre was providing fertiliser subsidies exceeding ₹1.5 lakh crore to keep inputs affordable, but cautioned that lower prices should not encourage indiscriminate use. Farmers were advised to consult Soil Health Cards before applying fertilisers and use only the nutrients their fields require.
Chouhan outlined three key measures: balanced fertiliser application, crop rotation involving pulses and gradual adoption of natural farming. He encouraged farmers to begin natural farming on at least half an acre using preparations such as Beejamrit and Ghanjeevamrit. He also urged them to avoid burning crop residue, which destroys beneficial microorganisms and earthworms.
The minister praised Haryana’s farmers for promoting agricultural innovation and sustainable practices, saying their efforts were influencing farming in other states, including Madhya Pradesh.
In a major rural development announcement, Chouhan handed over an approval letter sanctioning ₹1,343.06 crore for constructing 28,422 permanent houses for eligible poor families in Haryana under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin.
ICAR Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana and senior officials attended the programme.
