‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ Promotes Sustainable Farming; Deprived Farmers to Benefit from Kisan Credit Cards

‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ Promotes Sustainable Farming; Deprived Farmers to Benefit from Kisan Credit Cards

Chandigarh 11 June ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ being conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, from June 1 to June 30, is a national-level agricultural awareness and extension campaign. According to Ram Kishor Meena, Deputy General Manager of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), Punjab, the main objectives of this campaign are as follows:

- Issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) by banks to deprived farmers.

- Reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers, particularly the imbalanced use of fertilizers.

- Promotion of balanced fertilizer application based on soil testing.

- Encouragement of the use of green manure, organic inputs, and bio-products.

- Providing farmers with agricultural advice based on weather, soil conditions, and local circumstances.

- Emphasis on reducing cultivation costs and maintaining soil fertility.

Sunil Kumar, Chief Manager of SLBC Punjab, stated that Panchayats, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the State Agriculture Department, bank officials, and public representatives will also participate in this campaign.

Other activities under the campaign include:

- Linking beneficiaries with the Kisan Credit Card scheme.

- Registration of farmers who have been left out of the PM-Kisan scheme.

- Providing information about the Pulses-Oilseeds Mission, Oil Palm Mission, and Cotton Mission.

- Information on benefits and schemes related to agricultural mechanization (machinery).

The objective of this campaign is not only to spread awareness but also to create a mass movement so that:

- Fields remain protected.

- Soil quality improves.

- Farming costs remain under control.

- Farmers adopt scientific farming practices.

- A culture of better agricultural management develops at the village level.

- Deprived farmers become connected with the Kisan Credit Card scheme.

In Punjab, this campaign is being carried out on the principle of “Less Fertilizer, Right Fertilizer, Right Advice” and aims to motivate farmers towards sustainable and profitable agriculture. For further information related to the Kisan Credit Card scheme, farmers may contact their nearest bank branch or the Lead District Manager.