States » EastPosted at: Nov 3 2026 10:47PM


Chemical farming affecting soil fertility, Bihar to promote natural farming: Sinha

Ara, Nov 3 (UNI) Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has stressed the need to promote natural farming, warning that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides was adversely affecting soil fertility and posing challenges to long-term food security.
Addressing farmers at a ''Khet Bachao Abhiyan-cum-Krishi Jan Kalyan Samvad'' programme in Bhojpur district on Tuesday, Sinha said natural farming was essential to protect agricultural land, maintain soil health and ensure safe food for future generations.
He said the state government would take initiatives to give priority to farmers practising natural farming at agricultural market committees, enabling them to access better marketing opportunities for their produce.
The minister urged farmers to cultivate foodgrains for their household consumption on at least one-third of their agricultural land to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food for their families.
"Protecting farmland is not merely a campaign to save agricultural land but a commitment to ensure food on every person's plate. Only when fields are protected can food security be ensured and farmers prosper," he said.
Sinha said the state government was committed to preserving soil fertility, protecting agricultural land and improving farmers'' economic well-being. Through the ''Khet Bachao Abhiyan'', the government was seeking to create awareness about sustainable and economically viable farming practices to strengthen the agricultural sector against future challenges.
Highlighting initiatives to promote scientific awareness about soil health, he said soil testing laboratories were being established in 24 schools across Bhojpur district. The initiative would familiarise students with soil quality, fertility and nutrient requirements while encouraging awareness about the balanced and scientific use of fertilisers.
The minister also highlighted the government's efforts to modernise agriculture through technology and digital systems.
Under the Digital Crop Survey initiative, surveys of 1.14 lakh agricultural plots had been completed in Bhojpur district, providing more accurate information about crop coverage and land utilisation.
He further said that Farmer IDs had been generated for 1.09 lakh farmers in the district to facilitate transparent and convenient access to various schemes and services of the Agriculture Department.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, around 1.80 lakh farmers in Bhojpur had been covered, he added.
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Tags: #Chemical farming affecting soil fertility# Bihar to promote natural farming: Sinha
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