In a renewed push to modernize Indian agriculture and elevate farmers’ livelihoods, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday announced the relaunch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan for the upcoming Rabi crop season. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, the Minister highlighted the widespread success of the campaign’s first phase, which directly reached over 1.34 crore farmers across 1.42 lakh villages nationwide.
Chouhan emphasized that the campaign is not a one-time initiative but the beginning of a sustained movement aimed at transforming agriculture through field-level engagement and scientific collaboration. “We will take forward the success of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan; this campaign will not stop,” he declared.
As part of the next phase, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will be designated as nodal agencies in every district. These centers will operate as coordinated teams to address region-specific farming challenges. To deepen farmer-scientist interactions, KVK scientists will now spend at least three days a week in the field. The Minister also announced his personal commitment to the cause, stating that he will visit farms two days a week to directly engage with farmers and understand their issues on the ground.
To further support region-specific strategies, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will appoint a Nodal Officer for each state. These officers will oversee scientific trials, liaise with state governments, and ensure localized implementation of agricultural reforms. Additionally, the government is preparing to tighten regulations to curb the sale of substandard seeds and pesticides, with a renewed focus on quality control through amendments to the Seed Act.
Chouhan stressed the need to root agricultural policy in ground realities rather than distant policymaking. He announced the creation of a centralized coordination mechanism to align the efforts of all stakeholders across various levels of governance. He also praised the extensive fieldwork done during the campaign, which saw the participation of over 2,170 teams comprising scientists, agricultural experts, and officials.
The campaign witnessed strong involvement from Chief Ministers, Union and State Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and thousands of grassroots representatives. Special attention was given to underserved and remote areas. In 177 tribal districts, over 8,000 programs were conducted across 1,024 blocks, benefiting 18 lakh farmers. Similarly, in 112 aspirational districts, approximately 6,800 villages were visited, reaching 15 lakh farmers. Border areas and vibrant villages also saw significant outreach to ensure nationwide coverage.
One of the hallmark features of the campaign was the Kisan Chaupals—community gatherings that facilitated meaningful dialogue between farmers and scientists. These sessions focused on issues such as agro-climatic crop suitability, improved seed varieties, soil health, and pest management. Chouhan remarked, “The field is the most authentic laboratory, and the farmer’s voice must guide our path.”
Valuable policy insights emerged from these engagements. Farmers raised concerns about the need for a comprehensive climate change action plan tailored to agriculture, simplification of the organic farming certification process, development of a national fodder policy, and practical reforms to enhance the effectiveness of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Chouhan assured that these inputs will shape future agricultural policies, highlighting the government’s commitment to farmer-driven and demand-led research.
Looking ahead, a national-level hybrid meeting will take place on June 24 at the Pusa Institute to review campaign outcomes and align strategies. This will be followed by a stakeholder consultation on soybean in Indore on June 26, with similar missions planned for crops like cotton, sugarcane, pulses, and oilseeds.
Commending the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Agriculture Minister said that food grain production has increased by 40 percent over the past 11 years, a testament to consistent and strategic policy implementation. “Our mission is to ensure food security, nutritional adequacy, and profitable farming, while preserving soil health for future generations,” he said.
Chouhan concluded the press conference by articulating the vision of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team.” He called for a unified, collaborative approach involving farmers, scientists, institutions, and policymakers to develop a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.
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