During a programme in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, the Minister stresses reduced chemical fertiliser use, organic inputs, Soil Health Cards and climate-resilient farming to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

North 24 Parganas, November 10, 2026: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ram Nath Thakur, has called on farmers to adopt natural farming, reduce excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers and prioritise soil conservation as part of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan.

The Minister participated in a programme organised by the ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology (ICAR-NINFET) at Subhasnagar in Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.

The programme focused on protecting agricultural land, restoring soil health and encouraging environmentally sustainable farming practices to safeguard long-term agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.

Key Highlights

• Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur participates in Khet Bachao Abhiyan in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
• Calls for wider adoption of natural farming and reduced chemical fertiliser usage.
• Encourages organic fertilisers and organic pesticides.
• Emphasises Soil Health Cards for informed and balanced fertiliser application.
• Highlights the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in farmer training and technology dissemination.
• Promotes climate-resilient farming, scientific innovations and modern agricultural technologies.
• Nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan for Rabi crops runs from 22 October to 30 November 2026.

Natural Farming and Soil Conservation Take Centre Stage

Addressing farmers, Thakur emphasised the importance of returning to natural farming methods to maintain soil fertility, improve soil health and preserve ecological balance.

He called for the reduced and need-based application of chemical fertilisers, encouraging farmers to explore organic fertilisers and organic pesticides as part of sustainable agricultural practices.

The Minister also highlighted soil as a living resource that requires continuous conservation. He urged farmers to make effective use of Soil Health Cards to understand soil nutrient requirements, apply fertilisers appropriately and improve nutrient-use efficiency.

Additionally, he encouraged the adoption of climate-resilient farming methods, scientific innovations and modern technologies to strengthen agricultural productivity over the long term.

KVKs to Support Sustainable Farming Adoption

The Minister underlined the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in helping farmers transition towards natural and sustainable farming.

Through technical guidance, practical demonstrations and extension services, KVKs can facilitate the dissemination of improved farming practices and help farmers adopt technologies suited to local agricultural conditions.

The programme, organised by ICAR-NINFET, reinforced the central message of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan: healthy soil is the foundation of healthy crops, sustainable agriculture and farmers’ prosperity.

Impact on Hospitality, Food and Travel & Tourism

1. Implications for Sustainable Food Sourcing

The promotion of natural farming and reduced chemical input usage is relevant to hotels, restaurants and institutional food service operators looking to strengthen responsible food procurement. Wider adoption of sustainable farming practices could create opportunities for sourcing agricultural produce from farms following environmentally conscious cultivation methods.

2. Farm-to-Table and Culinary Tourism Opportunities

Natural farming can add value to agricultural tourism experiences. Farm visits, organic food experiences, local produce showcases and farm-to-table dining can help connect agricultural communities with hospitality businesses and travellers.

3. Strengthening the Food Supply Chain

Soil conservation and climate-resilient agricultural practices are important for maintaining long-term agricultural productivity. A more resilient farming ecosystem can support the availability of food ingredients for restaurants, hotels, caterers and food processing businesses.

4. Opportunities for Rural and Agritourism

Initiatives promoting natural farming can create opportunities for rural tourism destinations to develop agricultural experiences around traditional farming, organic cultivation, local cuisines and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Industry Takeaway

The Khet Bachao Abhiyan places soil health and natural farming at the centre of India’s agricultural sustainability agenda.

For the hospitality and food industry, the initiative is relevant beyond the farm sector. Sustainable agricultural production, responsible sourcing and resilient food supply chains are increasingly important to the long-term development of hotels, restaurants, food businesses and culinary tourism.

As India’s hospitality sector explores farm-to-table concepts and locally sourced ingredients, initiatives supporting soil conservation and sustainable farming can help strengthen the connection between agricultural producers, food businesses and tourism destinations.