In a significant stride toward agricultural modernization and farmer empowerment, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a high-level review meeting on the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ at the ICAR Pusa Campus, New Delhi, today. The meeting focused on evaluating the outcomes of the nationwide campaign conducted from May 29 to June 12, and laid out a strategic roadmap for its continuation and evolution.
The meeting witnessed participation from over 2,170 nodal officers—both in-person and virtually—who presented detailed findings, field-level insights, and actionable strategies derived from the campaign. These comprehensive presentations covered best practices, regional challenges, and suggested interventions that were gathered from engagement across more than 60,000 villages, aligning closely with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Lab to Land’ vision.
Describing the campaign as a “historic movement in independent India,” Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised its unmatched scale and significance. He emphasized that the initiative is key to transforming Indian agriculture by bridging research with grassroots efforts and delivering scientific knowledge directly to farmers. “This is more than a campaign—it’s a vision for a strong and prosperous rural Bharat,” he said.
Key Focus Areas and Strategic Vision
Shri Chouhan emphasized that the campaign would move forward with a renewed focus on three core pillars:
- Enhancing farmer incomes
- Ensuring food and nutritional security
- Positioning India as a global food basket
He underlined the need to promote the development and integration of biofortified crops, sustainable farming practices, and advanced mechanization techniques. Additional emphasis was placed on improving soil health, encouraging coastal and arid-zone agriculture, and strengthening animal husbandry initiatives.
A bold proposal was introduced for a ‘Crop War’ to boost production and self-sufficiency in key crops such as pulses, oilseeds, soybean, cotton, and sugarcane. This includes initiating crop- and state-specific planning, prioritizing research in critical areas, and strictly regulating substandard agricultural inputs. Special enforcement teams are to be formed to ensure stringent compliance and protect farmers from exploitative practices.
Institutional Strengthening and Field Engagement
Reaffirming the role of research institutions, the Minister called for the fortification of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country. He announced that dedicated nodal officers would be assigned to KVKs, and scientists would be mandated to engage directly in field-level work, thus bridging the gap between labs and farms more effectively.
To institutionalize planning and coordination, a two-day conference for the upcoming Rabi season was also announced:
- Day 1 will be dedicated to discussions among key officials.
- Day 2 will bring together agriculture ministers from various states to finalize the Rabi action plan.
Inter-Institutional Learning and State Coordination
The campaign also aims to foster inter-institutional learning among various ICAR bodies, enhance coordination with state departments and KVKs, and align agricultural research and extension frameworks with the overarching goal of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
Key Dignitaries in Attendance
The high-level event was attended by several prominent figures in the Indian agricultural ecosystem, including:
- Shri Shyam Singh Rana, Agriculture Minister, Haryana
- Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR)
- Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR
- Dr. D.K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR
Senior scientists, vice-chancellors of agricultural universities, ICAR officials, and state-level agriculture ministers also joined the meeting virtually, marking a collaborative and inclusive approach to shaping India’s future in agriculture.
As the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ gains momentum, the meeting underscored a unified commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and strategic transformation—ensuring that Indian agriculture not only feeds the nation but becomes a global standard for sustainability and success.
