ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA) organized an awareness campaign on on soil health management and balanced fertilization use on April 17, 2026, at Nallavelly village in Yacharam mandal of Rangareddy district, Telangana, under the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) programme.

Dr. B. Bhargavi, Scientist (Agronomy), welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the campaign in promoting sustainable nutrient management practices. Dr. K. Srinivas, Principal Scientist (Soil Science), emphasized the need for soil test-based balanced fertilization and cautioned farmers against the excessive use of urea, noting its adverse effects on soil health, crop productivity, and input costs.

Dr. Priya Gurav, Senior Scientist (Soil Science), elaborated on the benefits of biofertilizers in reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and maintaining soil health. She also demonstrated seed treatment techniques using biofertilizers. Dr. Bhargavi further advised farmers to incorporate organic and green manures as part of integrated nutrient management for sustainable agriculture.

During the programme, farmers were educated on the correct procedure for soil sampling, and informative literature on soil sampling techniques was distributed to support better nutrient management practices at the field level.

The programme witnessed active participation of farmers with interactive sessions and demonstrations.