The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare requested farmers in the district to increase the use of biofertilisers and biopesticides during cultivation to preserve soil health and retain productivity.During a district-level programme organised at Akkarai Chengapalli village in Annur block, District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, Joint Director of Agriculture M. Tamilselvi and senior officials from the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Agriculture Marketing spoke on the importance of the optimal use of the soil health card, balanced natural farming and balanced fertiliser usage. The programme was held as part of ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ (Vilai Nilam Kaapoom) movement of the Centre.The Collector requested the farmers to test the soil in their fields, promising them that detailed reports would help them understand nutrient levels, deficiencies and suitable cultivation practices.The ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ movement recognises the risks arising out of improper fertiliser use and addresses the challenges of soil degradation, nutrient imbalance and environmental stress, officials said.Farmers were told how continuous cultivation, along with disproportionate reliance on nitrogenous fertilisers and a decline in the use of organic manures, leads to nutrient imbalances and a steady deterioration of soil health, adversely affecting crop growth.According to officials, erosion of soil quality was high in Annur, Sulur and Sultanpet blocks of Coimbatore district, where the high nitrogen content was an outcome of excessive use of urea. Published - June 10, 2026 08:30 pm IST