DOIMUKH, Jun 4: As part of a nationwide awareness campaign initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on June 1 to support soil health management, sustainable agriculture, and the balanced use of fertilizers—which runs until June 30—Agriculture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu today launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Tana Hari Fish Farm in Emchi village under Gumto circle in Doimukh subdivision of Papum Pare district, emphasizing the protection of the State’s soil health.
He exhorted farmers, government officials and the general public to come together in protecting the State’s soil health through responsible agricultural practices.
Organized by the District Agriculture Office (Papum Pare), the programme was attended by farmers, Panchayat leaders, members of Kisan Morcha and Agriculture officials from across the district.
Speaking at the launch event, the Minister described the campaign as a movement that deeply resonates with the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it seeks to address State’s growing concerns over soil degradation, including the loss of agricultural land during monsoon seasons and declining fertility and environmental imbalance caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers.
“This Abhiyan resonates deeply with our people. Over the years, we have neglected our indigenous food systems and overexploited our land. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers has damaged both our soil and water resources,” he said.
Encouraging farmers to embrace sustainable practices, Wangsu emphasized the need to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices, including natural farming and vermicomposting. He described soil health conservation as a meaningful tribute to the wisdom and legacy of ancestors who nurtured the land through traditional practices.
“Saving our soil is not a political movement. It is our collective responsibility towards our land, our farmers and our future. Though the results may not be immediate, we must persevere,” he said, while expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare for launching the initiative.
Local MLA Nabam Vivek noted that a collective neglect of natural farming over the years had made this government intervention necessary. “We have gradually moved away from natural farming, which has made such an awareness movement necessary. The campaign is ultimately about the health of our citizens and ensuring access to safe and healthy food,” he said.
Earlier, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering, in his address, lauded the initiative, calling it a visionary movement.
Technical sessions on balanced use of fertilizers and natural farming practices were also conducted for farmers and stakeholders as part of the event.
The month-long awareness campaign includes training programmes and field-level demonstrations five days a week across the country.