The Agriculture Ministry has launched Khet Bachao Abhiyan-Rabi 2026, a nationwide campaign running from October 22 to November 30. The campaign focuses on soil health, balanced fertiliser use, crop diversification, water conservation and better management of farm resources during the rabi season.
The campaign comes as farmers prepare fields after the kharif harvest. Instead of treating fertiliser, irrigation and crop choice separately, the programme promotes soil-test-based decisions, efficient water use, residue management and suitable crop diversification. Farmers will receive information through conferences, Kisan Chaupals, training programmes and field demonstrations.
One major message is to avoid applying fertiliser only on the basis of past practice. Soil testing can show the available nutrients and help farmers select more suitable fertiliser quantities. The government is promoting Soil Health Card-based recommendations to improve nutrient management and reduce unnecessary input costs.
An ICAR training programme held in Motihari, Bihar, on October 23 demonstrated how precision nitrogen management can complement soil testing. Scientists used GreenSeeker-based crop sensing to explain how farmers can improve nitrogen-use efficiency, reduce fertiliser costs and limit nutrient losses from fields.
For farmers, the message is not to stop using fertilisers. It is to use them according to crop requirements and soil conditions. Applying more nitrogen than a crop needs does not automatically produce higher yields. It can increase expenses while also contributing to nutrient losses and environmental problems.
Crop Diversification Gets Fresh Push
Khet Bachao Abhiyan also promotes crop diversification, with particular attention to pulses, oilseeds and horticultural crops. The campaign encourages farmers to consider alternatives where repeated cultivation of the same crop is putting pressure on soil, water resources or farm profitability.
In Bihar, ICAR scientists recently discussed including mung bean in rice-wheat systems. Green gram can fix atmospheric nitrogen through biological processes, while incorporating suitable crop residues can contribute to soil health. Farmers still need to match crop duration, irrigation availability and local weather before changing their rotation.
Rice fallow areas are another focus. Farmers are being encouraged to use suitable fields after paddy harvesting for crops where soil moisture, temperature and irrigation conditions allow. This can increase the productive use of land while supporting greater diversity in cropping systems.
Residue management is another key part of the campaign. Farmers are being advised against burning crop residues and are being encouraged to consider retention, mulching, composting, incorporation and suitable machinery. These practices can help return organic material to the soil instead of removing it through burning.
ICAR scientists in Motihari recently explained that residue burning can affect soil organic matter, beneficial microorganisms and nutrient cycling. Farmers were encouraged to consider conservation agriculture, zero tillage and efficient irrigation alongside residue management when preparing fields for the rabi season.
Water conservation is also part of the campaign. Farmers are being encouraged to improve water-use efficiency, adopt suitable irrigation practices, conserve rainwater and support groundwater recharge. These steps matter particularly where groundwater levels, rainfall patterns and irrigation availability are becoming less predictable.
What Farmers Can Do Now
Farmers preparing for rabi crops can begin with a few practical steps. They can test their soil, check recommended fertiliser doses, select suitable varieties, compare crop options and plan irrigation before sowing. They should also assess whether crop residues can be retained or incorporated rather than burned.
Farmers can use KVKs and local agriculture departments for crop-specific advice instead of relying only on input dealers. Under the campaign, ICAR institutes, KVKs, state agriculture departments, agricultural universities and other agencies are organising training and demonstrations at different administrative levels.
The campaign also includes awareness on Farmer IDs, crop insurance under PMFBY and wider access to Kisan Credit Cards. These measures are being presented alongside soil health, crop diversification and sustainable farming rather than as separate activities.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan-Rabi 2026 will continue until November 30. For farmers, its most useful message is simple: make input decisions from soil and crop needs, diversify where conditions allow, conserve water and manage residues properly. These choices can reduce avoidable costs while preparing farms for a more uncertain growing season.
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