Under the nationwide "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" (Save the Farm Campaign) being implemented as part of the Awareness Programme on Balanced Use of Fertilizers (BUF), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ranga Reddy District, ICAR–CRIDA, Hyderabad, organized a farmer awareness programme on 02 June 2026 at Chittapur Village, Ranga Reddy District.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. G. Srikrishna, SMS (Horticulture) and Nodal Officer, Khet Bachao Abhiyan, who explained the objectives of the campaign and encouraged farmers to adopt natural farming practices for vegetable and horticultural crops to produce safe, high-quality food while improving soil health.

The KVK team comprising Dr. D. Sudheer (Veterinary Science), Dr. S. Vijayakumar (Agricultural Engineering), and Dr. Gautam Veer Chauhan (Agronomy) interacted with farmers and highlighted various aspects of sustainable agriculture, soil health management, balanced fertilizer use, integrated nutrient management, water conservation, climate-resilient farming, farm mechanization, integrated crop–livestock systems, and the effective utilization of organic manures, biofertilizers, micronutrients, adopt natural farming practices in vegetable and horticultural crops for producing safe and quality food while improving soil health and green manuring crops.

The scientists also emphasized interventions in fodder development, promotion of drought-tolerant and short-duration crop varieties, adoption of micro-irrigation technologies, efficient water management practices, and integration of organic nutrient sources with chemical fertilizers to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity. Farmers were further sensitized about the possible impacts of El Niño conditions on rainfall and crop production and were advised on suitable risk-mitigation measures.

A total of 155 farmers (75 men and 80 women) participated in the programme.