Residential Certification Course on “Integrated Nutrient Management” Inaugurated at Hooghly KVK

18 August 2026, Hooghly

The 15-day residential certification course on “Integrated Nutrient Management for Fertilizer Dealers” was successfully inaugurated at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (BCKV), Hooghly. The programme was jointly conducted by Hooghly KVK, the Fertilizer Association of India – Eastern Region (FAI-ER), Kolkata, and Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, with the objective of strengthening the technical competence of agro-input dealers in balanced fertilizer use and soil health stewardship. Trainees appreciated the practical sessions and expert guidance, noting that the exposure would help them better assist farmers in adopting more sustainable and efficient nutrient management practices.

In his inaugural address, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI Kolkata, described plant nutrients as the lifeline of agriculture and emphasized their judicious use for sustaining soil health, crop productivity, and resilient farming systems. Recognizing agri-input dealers as a key source of technical advice for farmers, he stressed the importance of strengthening their scientific competence to promote balanced fertilization and informed nutrient management. He highlighted that the training, aligned with government guidelines, would empower dealers as effective resource persons to guide farmers towards sustainable practices, enhance productivity, and build confidence in scientific agriculture.

As per the Ministry of Agriculture’s notification and the provisions of the Fertilizer Control Order, eligibility for obtaining a fertilizer dealership requires an agriculture degree or diploma, or successful completion of an approved 15-day training programme. The Fertilizer Association of India introduced this initiative to equip fertilizer dealers with adequate scientific knowledge and enable them to provide accurate and dependable advisory services to farmers.

The program brought together 30 participants from the West Bengal State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd. (BENFED), representing the districts of Hooghly, Murshidabad and Paschim Medinipur. This initiative sets the stage for a future shaped by informed and science-based approaches to plant nutrient management, empowering fertilizer dealers with valuable knowledge and skills.

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