Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (Save Farming Campaign) from Ramasiya village in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh on June 1, 2026. The month-long campaign will run across the country from June 1 to June 30, 2026, with the core message that protecting soil health is essential for agricultural prosperity, farmer welfare, and national development.
The campaign emphasizes promoting balanced fertilizer use, soil testing through Soil Health Cards, natural farming practices, water conservation, and scientific agricultural methods. Minister Chouhan specifically warned against indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, noting that excessive chemical use reduces soil fertility, destroys beneficial microorganisms, decreases agricultural productivity, and increases cultivation costs.
Under the campaign, agricultural scientists, experts from agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendra officials, agriculture department teams, and public representatives will visit villages nationwide to create awareness among farmers. The program will educate farmers on soil testing, balanced nutrient management, natural farming, modern sowing techniques, water conservation, and advanced agricultural practices. Every farmer will be encouraged to obtain a Soil Health Card to enable fertilizer application based on actual soil requirements, which is expected to reduce cultivation costs, enhance productivity, and maintain long-term soil fertility.
The campaign includes special field demonstrations for soybean, paddy, and pulse crops in the region, with training programs on improved seeds, scientific sowing methods, modern technologies like laser levellers, and water-efficient farming practices. Regular training programs will be conducted with support from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and expert institutions.
Women's empowerment forms a significant component, with plans to connect women to employment, income-generation activities, and self-employment opportunities through Self-Help Groups. Eligible women will receive training, financial support, and opportunities to start small enterprises. Youth development initiatives will include creating greater opportunities for guidance, skill development, and preparation programs.
The campaign will also focus on creating awareness against counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides, guiding farmers on crop selection and seed varieties suited to local agro-climatic conditions, appropriate farming systems, seed treatment methods, and other scientific practices. Information on using green manure for improving soil health will be disseminated, and benefits of various Central and State Government schemes will be extended to farmers nationwide through the campaign.
Minister Chouhan described the campaign as evolving into a major people's movement driven by public participation, with officials directed to regularly visit villages and provide technical assistance to farmers. He emphasized that prosperous villages, empowered farmers, and self-reliant women can only be achieved through collective efforts of government and society.