Thrissur: The district-level inauguration of the nationwide “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” campaign and the District Extension Advisory Seminar (DAESI-2026) was held in Thrissur under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The month-long campaign is being conducted across the country from June 1 to 30, 2026.
The programme, held at the Sree Dharmasastha Temple Hall, was inaugurated by Thrissur MP and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, Suresh Gopi.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said the campaign aims to promote sustainable agriculture by protecting farmlands and improving soil health. He highlighted that maintaining soil fertility, reducing excessive use of chemical fertilizers, encouraging scientific farming methods, and attracting young people to agriculture are among the key objectives of the initiative.
During the event, Suresh Gopi honoured John Kurien, a mixed farmer from Mulankunnathukavu Grama Panchayat, for his achievements in the agricultural sector.
Several progressive farmers from across the district were also felicitated for their contributions to agriculture. Those honoured included organic farmer and teacher Rekha Saji of Arimpur; organic farmer Raman Parambath of Thaloor; organic farmer Seena Jayasheelan of Peringottukara Thanniyam; Leela Ashokan, known for organic farming and value-added agricultural products; vegetable farmer Unnikrishnan Vadakkenchery; Changalikodan banana farmer Sunitha Mailankulam; paddy farmer Rajendran M.V., who cultivates traditional varieties including Rakthashali; Gopinathan Kulangatt, president of the Pulari Padashekhara Samithi and a noted Kole farming promoter; Salim K.M. of Annamanada Panchayat, a paddy and dairy integrated farmer; and integrated farmer K.K. Subrahmanyam.
The seminar was presided over by Dr. M. Prabhakar, Director of ATARI Zone XI. Speakers included Dr. Mary Regini, Registrar of Kerala Agricultural University; Dr. Binu P. Bonny, Director of Extension; Nibi Francis, Principal Agriculture Officer; P.M. Jayakumar, ATMA Project Director; and Pratheesh V.N., Assistant Director of Agriculture, Puzhakkal.
Among those present were Adv. B. Gopalakrishnan, Nivedita Subrahmanyan, Justin Jacob, and presidents of various padashekhara committees.
As part of the campaign, awareness classes, technical demonstrations, and interactive sessions were organised to educate farmers on soil conservation and sustainable fertilizer practices. Farmers and agricultural officials from different parts of the district attended the programme.
