Government braces for a tough sowing season ahead

Key Takeaways

• NEW DELHI: Staring at a tough sowing season due to forecast of a weak monsoon and pressure on inputs such as fertilisers and diesel, the Centre will on Monday launch a month-long nationwide campaign on balanced and judicious use of inputs such as fertilisers and water, timely advice to farmers in view of weather-related challenges and delivering benefits of various farm-related schemes directly to villages.The aim of the campaign - Khet Bachao Abhiyan - is also to motivate farmers to increase the use of green manure, organic and bio products and opt for precision irrigation for optimum use of water.Ahead of the launch of the campaign from Ramsiya village in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that awareness and practical interventions had become essential keeping in view rising temperatures, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the deterioration of soil health, and growing challenges of the climate crisis."Constructive suggestions will be given on dos and don'ts, correct crop options, crop diversification and farming in case of water scarcity or risk," he said."The purpose of the campaign will not be just to deliver a message, but to give right advice to farmers at the farm level as per the situation," the minister said.In view of the forecast of a weak monsoon amid the rising risk of El Nino, the agriculture ministry has already asked states to take measures such as the promotion of drought-tolerant crop varieties, weather-based agro-advisory services, efficient water management and location-specific adaptation strategies to minimise agricultural losses.Urging the states to brace for the challenging weather conditions, Chouhan, who will visit villages in different parts of the country during the campaign and interact with farmers, spoke to chief ministers and other stakeholders, including farm scientists, to seek their participation in the initiative.Chouhan also emphasised that the campaign should be given a multi-dimensional character by ensuring that benefits of schemes such as Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Crop Insurance Scheme, Soil Health Cards, Mini Seed Kits, Pulses and Oilseeds Mission, and Agricultural Mechanisation programmes reach farmers.