Farmer Field School Drives Biofertilizer Innovations and Farmer-Led Extension in Dhenkanal 
A Farmer Field School (FFS) program focusing on CRRI Biofertilizer applications was successfully conducted at Chirulei village in the Gondia block of Dhenkanal district. The event drew a turnout of around 100 local farmers, including 30 active women agriculturalists. Executed under the state-funded project “Production, Popularisation & Supply of Quality Bioinoculants in Rice-Based Cropping & Farming System of Odisha” (Jaiva Poshak), the institutional event was organized in close collaboration with the Dhenkanal Farmer Producer Company Limited (DFPCL) to empower the farming community and improve regional soil health. The training session was coordinated by Dr. A.K. Mukherjee, Principal Scientist, and Dr. Sudipta Paul, Senior Scientist. Dr. Mukherjee educated the gathering on the vital role of Trichoderma, explaining its benefits in biological disease control, soil health management, and crop protection. Dr. Paul led the technical sessions on nutrient management, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of bioinoculants while highlighting how innovations like NRRI Endo N can effectively substitute synthetic nitrogen requirements by up to 25% to preserve long-term soil biological health. The practical execution of the field school relied on hands-on community engagement. Dr. Sai Krishna Repalli, Research Associate, facilitated the live field demonstrations, showcasing the application methods of biofertilizers across local rice and vegetable cropping systems to optimize input costs. Sri Amarendra Malla and Milan Jyoti Malla of DFPCL moderated the program, while Ms. Baishali Swain, Young Professional, and Mr. Budhia Bhoi, Agricultural Field Operator, facilitated the program. A major highlight of the event was the interactive involvement of the farming community, particularly the 30 women farmers who participated in the live demonstrations. This training serves as a vital initial step for future agricultural extension in the region. By equipping local participants with technical knowledge on balanced fertilizer usage, the program has laid the groundwork for a master-trainer model, empowering these trained farmers to educate and lead other farmers toward a sustainable, high-yielding, and chemical-free agricultural future.
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