Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan', to run from 22 October to 30 November

What happened

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from Tarawadi in Haryana’s Karnal district on 22 October 2026. On the occasion, he addressed farmers, scientists and officials connected through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural institutions across the country.

When and where the campaign will run

The minister said a broad public awareness campaign will be held in every village of the country from 22 October to 30 November 2026. During this period, vice-chancellors of agricultural universities, the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), scientists and officials have been asked to step out of their offices and visit villages to talk to farmers.

What farmers have been advised

The minister gave three main suggestions. First, farmers should check their soil health card on their mobile phone and apply only the balanced quantity of the nutrients their soil lacks. Second, instead of repeatedly growing paddy and then wheat, they should include pulses such as gram, lentil and pigeon pea in their crop cycle, as these roots naturally fix nitrogen in the soil. Third, they should start natural farming on at least half an acre using beejamrit and ghan jeevamrit.

What was said on fertiliser subsidy

The minister said the government is giving more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore in fertiliser subsidy, which keeps a bag of urea at Rs 266 and a bag of DAP at Rs 1,350. But he warned that cheap fertiliser does not mean using it more than needed. Putting extra fertiliser does not raise the crop; it harms the soil.

Crop residue and earthworms

The minister said burning crop residue is self-destructive. It causes air pollution and destroys soil microbes, beneficial insects and earthworms that help make natural manure. He said India is moving towards green ammonia, which will help the country become self-reliant in fertiliser production.

Housing scheme approval for Haryana

At the event, as Rural Development Minister, Chouhan handed a approval letter to Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana for Rs 1,343.06 crore under PM Awas Yojana-Gramin for building 28,422 pucca houses. This will help eligible poor families in Haryana build their own pucca homes.