Emphasizing Balanced Use of Fertilizers, Dhenkanal Drives Biofertilizer Innovations under Khet Bachhao Abhiyan 
Moving forward with the national mission of “Khet Bachhao Abhiyan,” a high-impact field demonstration program on CRRI Biofertilizers alongside a specialized Training Program to Farmer Producer Companies on applications of CRRI Biofertilizers was successfully conducted across two separate blocks today, June 25, 2026. The dual initiatives rolled out sequentially at Chirulei village of Gondia Block and Tarava village of Dhenkanal Sadar Block. Executed under the state-funded project “Production, Popularisation & Supply of Quality Bioinoculants in Rice-Based Cropping & Farming System of Odisha” (Jaiva Poshak), these institutional events were organized in close collaboration with the Dhenkanal Farmer Producer Company Limited, DFPCL, and aligned with ICAR and DAFE’s “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” framework.
The technical sessions brought together agricultural experts and local leaders to provide sustainable solutions for preserving regional soil biological health. Program Coordinator Dr. Sudipta Paul, Senior Scientist, led and guided the sessions, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of bioinoculants while highlighting how NRRI Endo N can effectively substitute synthetic Nitrogen requirement by up to 25%. Dr. Kutubuddin Ali Molla explained the long-term advantages of balanced fertilizer use and the benefits of Azolla. Dr. Rosalin Mohanta, Scientist, KVK Dhenkanal, discussed regional agricultural practices and recommended biofertilizers to systematically improve soil fertility. The second program at Tarava village was presided over by Sarpanch Smt. Pratima Behera, who shared her aspiration that village farmers will shift to biofertilizers to replace chemicals, and featured Smt. Gayatri Sahoo, BAO, Dhenkanal Sadar, who explained Azolla as a multipurpose, suitable biofertilizer in the rice-based farming system. The programmes witnessed enthusiastic participation from 128 farmers, including 63 farmers (55 male and 8 female) at Chirulei village and 65 farmers at Tarava village.
Practical field training was spearheaded by Dr. Sai Krishna Repalli, Research Associate, who led live demonstrations showcasing the exact application methods of biofertilizers across local rice and vegetable cropping systems. Both programs were seamlessly moderated by Amarendra Malla and Milan Jyoti Malla, Managing Director of DFPCL, and actively facilitated by dedicated project staff. By bridging scientific research with community-led FPC action, this campaign marks a major milestone in empowering Dhenkanal’s farmers to nurse their soil back to health, optimize input costs, and secure a sustainable, chemical-free agricultural future.
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