Month-long campaign to encourage balanced fertilizer use, soil testing and scientific farming practices; initiative expected to strengthen India’s food ecosystem, rural economy and agri-tourism potential.

Key Highlights

• Nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ launched by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Madhya Pradesh.
• Campaign to run from June 1-30 across India.
• Focus on soil health, balanced fertilizer use and scientific farming.
• Soil Health Cards to be promoted among farmers nationwide.
• Agricultural scientists and experts to conduct village-level outreach.
• Special emphasis on natural farming, water conservation and modern agricultural technologies.
• Women and youth to receive training and livelihood support through the campaign.
• Awareness drive against counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides.

Centre Launches Nationwide Soil Health Campaign to Strengthen Sustainable Agriculture

New Delhi/Raisen, June 1: The Government of India has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at improving soil health and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, a move that could have long-term implications for India’s food supply chain, agri-business sector and rural tourism economy.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan formally launched the month-long ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from Ramasiya village in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district. The campaign, running from June 1 to June 30, seeks to encourage farmers to adopt balanced fertilizer use, scientific soil testing, water conservation measures and modern cultivation techniques.

Speaking at the launch, the minister stressed that protecting soil health is essential for ensuring long-term agricultural productivity and food security. He urged farmers to avoid excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and instead rely on scientific soil testing to determine nutrient requirements.

Under the initiative, agricultural scientists, experts from agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and government officials will conduct extensive village-level awareness programmes across the country. Farmers will receive guidance on soil testing, nutrient management, natural farming, improved sowing practices and advanced farming technologies.

The government also plans to expand the adoption of Soil Health Cards, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on fertilizer application. According to the ministry, this could help reduce cultivation costs while maintaining soil fertility and improving crop yields over time.

Special field demonstrations for soybean, paddy and pulse cultivation are also planned, alongside training programmes on improved seed varieties, laser levelling technology and water-efficient farming methods.

Beyond agriculture, the campaign incorporates rural development objectives. Women will be linked to self-employment and income-generation opportunities through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), while youth-focused skill development and livelihood initiatives are expected to complement the programme.

The ministry also announced awareness drives against counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides, along with guidance on crop selection, seed treatment and green manure practices.

What It Means for Hospitality, Food and Tourism

The initiative has broader significance for India’s hospitality and tourism sectors, particularly those linked to food, farm-to-table sourcing and rural experiences.

Healthier soils and improved agricultural productivity can support more stable supplies of quality produce for restaurants, hotels and food processing businesses. Increased adoption of sustainable farming practices may also strengthen demand for locally sourced ingredients, an area of growing interest among premium hospitality brands and culinary tourism operators.

The campaign’s focus on rural livelihoods, women’s entrepreneurship and village-level economic development could further contribute to the growth of rural tourism, agri-tourism and experiential travel offerings across India.

Industry stakeholders note that sustainable agriculture initiatives increasingly influence hospitality supply chains, especially as consumers show greater interest in traceable, environmentally responsible food sourcing.

With scientists, extension workers and local institutions participating nationwide, the government expects the campaign to evolve into a broader public movement centred on soil conservation, sustainable farming and long-term rural prosperity.