Shivraj Singh Chouhan Unveils Ambitious Agricultural Initiative in Odisha

Transforming Agriculture: The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan

Bhubaneswar: On Thursday, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', a nationwide initiative aimed at revolutionizing Indian agriculture through scientific methods.

The campaign was inaugurated in Sakshigopal, located in Odisha's Puri district, with the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo, local MLAs, and prominent agricultural scientists.

Chouhan, who serves as the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, emphasized that the initiative aims to position India as the 'food basket of the world' by fostering direct connections between agricultural scientists and farmers.

He highlighted that the campaign aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Lab to Land' and the broader goal of a developed India.

As part of this initiative, scientists from various regions will step out of their labs to work directly with farmers across more than 700 districts, offering practical guidance and gathering insights from the agricultural field.

Chouhan remarked, 'This is the first time since Independence that such a campaign is being undertaken to connect scientists and farmers directly. The initiative is result-oriented, and under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, there will be no shortage of funds for agricultural research.'

The campaign is set to run from May 29 to June 12, with the objective of reaching approximately 1.5 crore farmers throughout the country.

He urged agricultural scientists to consider their field visits as a service to the nation's 'Annadatas' (food providers).

'You are going to serve the farmers. It is your good fortune that you are getting a chance to go to the village and talk to the farmers and increase their crop production; there can be no greater virtue than this,' he stated.

Chouhan also encouraged farmers to actively engage with the scientists, saying, 'Please take some time to meet them, learn about new farming techniques, and help increase production. Better seeds mean better yield, and I thank ICAR scientists for developing new seed varieties.'

He pointed out India's agricultural progress, noting that the country produced 3539.59 lakh metric tonnes of food grains this year, which is an increase of 216.61 lakh metric tonnes compared to the previous year.

'India is now capable of feeding its population of 145 crore. But we must not stop — we aim to become the food basket of the world, not just meet our domestic needs but also export to other countries,' he added.

Chouhan attributed this achievement to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, emphasizing the significance of launching the campaign from Puri, a sacred site.

'This is not just an agricultural campaign; it’s a national mission to ensure our food reserves are full and our farmers' incomes rise,' he told reporters after visiting the Jagannath Temple to seek blessings before the launch.

Prior to the campaign's inauguration, Chouhan participated in a 'Tiranga Yatra' (Tricolour March) and a plantation program, alongside Majhi and other dignitaries, symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and national pride.