Khet Bachao Abhiyan Rabi 2026: Chouhan Urges End to Stubble Burning

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the rabi edition of the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Taraori in Karnal, Haryana, on 22 October, asking farmers to use fertiliser only as their soil tests advise and to stop burning crop residue. The campaign runs until 30 November and is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities.

Soil Cards, Pulses and a Price for Straw

Farmers are being asked to check their Soil Health Cards, including on a mobile phone, and apply only what the soil needs. They are also being asked to add pulses such as chickpea, lentil and pigeon pea to the paddy-wheat cycle, and to try natural farming on at least half an acre, DD News reported.

On stubble, Chouhan said residue can fetch Rs 200 to 250 per quintal if it is managed properly. He suggested harvesting with a cutter, raking the straw and baling it so industrial units can buy the bundles. “Burning stubble kills the beneficial insects in the fields,” he told reporters, ANI reported.

Also read Shivraj Chouhan Launches Upgraded Agri Welfare Portal for Farmers

Second Campaign of 2026

An earlier Khet Bachao Abhiyan ran from 1 to 30 June 2026, launched from Raisen district in Madhya Pradesh, according to Drishti IAS. The rabi edition adds crop diversification through oilseed, pulse and horticulture missions, use of fallow fields after the paddy harvest, and crop residue management.

Chouhan also said the Centre is absorbing high international fertiliser prices, with subsidies above Rs 1.5 lakh crore, per DD News. Stubble burning has been a recurring factor in Delhi’s winter air; CPCB data showed its share of PM2.5 reaching 4.1% this season, as our air quality report noted.

Village Meetings Through 30 November

Farmers’ conferences, Kisan Chaupals, training sessions and field demonstrations are planned at state, district, block and gram panchayat levels, with material in local languages and on radio and Doordarshan, All India Radio reported. The ministry has not said how it will measure results. The campaign closes on 30 November.

Related reading: why stubble burning keeps coming back.

Source: Based on reporting by DD News, ANI, All India Radio and Drishti IAS.

Image: DD News.