Residential Certificate Program on Integrated Nutrient Management for Fertilizer Dealers Concludes Successfully

2–23 September 2025, Malda

The residential certificate program on ‘Integrated Nutrient Management for Fertilizer Dealers’ concluded successfully at ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture), Malda. Jointly organized by KVK, the Fertilizer Association of India – Eastern Region (FAI-ER), Kolkata, and ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, the program empowered agro-input dealers with advanced technical knowledge, equipping them to promote efficient fertilizer use and sustainable soil health management key drivers of resilient and productive farming systems.

In the valedictory session, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, highlighted the indispensable role of plant nutrients in sustaining crop productivity, describing them as the very lifeblood of agriculture. Acknowledging the importance of agri-input dealers, he stressed the necessity of equipping them with sound technical knowledge to better support farmers. Dr. Dey added that the training, in line with government programs, was designed to position dealers as crucial facilitators of sustainable soil health management and scientific nutrient use, thereby strengthening resilient and high-yielding farming systems.

Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR-CISH, stressed on the wider adoption of biostimulants, biofertilizers and biocontrol agents as effective alternatives to chemical inputs, which not only safeguard soil health but also enhance crop productivity.

The program brought together 30 participants from the West Bengal State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd. (BENFED), representing the Chanchal, Ratua I, Ratua II, Harishchandrapur I and English Bazar blocks of Malda district.

Participants appreciated the hands-on training and technical insights, which will strengthen their role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This initiative sets the stage for a future shaped by informed and science-based approaches to plant nutrient management, empowering participants with valuable knowledge and skills.

(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)