- The initiative aims to transform agricultural reform into a mass movement, emphasising collective responsibility and the need for committed, field-level engagement with farmers.
- Key focus areas include balanced fertiliser use, soil testing, natural or low-chemical farming methods, crop selection suited to local conditions, water conservation, green manuring, and alternative strategies for low-rainfall areas.
- The initiative prioritises direct field-level engagement with farmers, supporting practical demonstrations and scientific validation rather than just providing advice.
Launched officially on June 1 in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, the Khet Bachao Abhiyan initiative is framed as a collective effort to secure the long-term future of agriculture in India.
It has been launched against the backdrop of mounting challenges, including rising temperatures, climate stress, deteriorating soil health, and the excessive and imbalanced use of chemical inputs.
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised the importance of the campaign to secure the future of agriculture and safeguard the rights of future generations.
The government is positioning it as a potential catalyst for broader agricultural reform, with ambitions to turn it into a mass movement.
“Do not treat this as a ritual – enter the fields with complete commitment and conviction. It is our collective responsibility to uphold the dignity of mother earth,” he said.
A national movement
The campaign will focus on key areas including balanced fertiliser use, soil testing, adoption of natural or low-chemical farming practices, and better crop selection tailored to local conditions.
It will also address water conservation, green manuring, and alternative farming strategies in low-rainfall environments.
At the same time, it will raise awareness about counterfeit fertilisers, seeds and pesticides, a persistent issue affecting farmer productivity and costs.
The campaign emphasises direct field-level engagement with farmers. However, Chouhan stressed that merely giving advice was not enough.
He added that farmer confidence must be built through field demonstrations, scientific validation and practical examples.
To support farmers’ incomes, Chouhan listed existing schemes such as Kisan Credit Card and PM-Kisan income support.
Chouhan added that communication and outreach were critical to the campaign’s success.
He urged agricultural scientists and officials to engage proactively to ensure that information reaches villages quickly and effectively.
Additionally, he urged officials and scientists to “interact freely” with the press as the campaign concerned the future of agriculture and food security in the country.
‘Collective responsibility’
Chouhan called for a nationwide, time-bound roadmap through June 30, clearly assigning officials, scientists and institutions to specific villages with defined visit schedules.
He also directed states to plan district-level programmes in advance, ensure adequate local arrangements, implement dashboard-based monitoring, and maintain tight coordination throughout the campaign.
He added that he would personally visit villages across different states during the campaign period to engage with farmers and monitor progress.
Chouhan said he had reached out to state chief ministers, calling for their direct participation, and encouraged Union Ministers, MPs, and legislators to actively engage with the campaign.
He stressed that success depends on synchronised implementation involving scientific bodies, extension systems, policymakers, and local administrations.
