Union Minister Highlights Agriculture's Role in India's Economy and Launches New Initiative

Agriculture: The Heart of India's Economy

During a recent public address, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the importance of agriculture, calling it the "backbone" of India's economy and referring to farmers as its "soul." He stated, "Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, and farmers are its soul."

Chouhan praised the relentless efforts of farmers, saying, "When a farmer plants a seed, he is not merely sowing—it is the beginning of life." He proudly announced a record in food grain production this year, with India achieving 353.959 million metric tonnes, an increase of 21.661 million metric tonnes from the previous year. He urged for continued growth, stating, "We must not stop; we must keep producing."

India's Global Agricultural Responsibility

Highlighting India's role on the global stage, Chouhan remarked, "India will not only feed its own population—we aspire to be the world's food basket."

He stressed the significance of seed quality in enhancing agricultural productivity and commended the scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for their ongoing research. "I commend the ICAR scientists for their continuous efforts in developing new seeds," he noted.

Support for Farmers: Increased Minimum Support Price

In a pivotal announcement for the agricultural sector, Chouhan revealed that the Union Cabinet has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops. He stated, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the government has taken significant steps to support farmers by raising MSPs."

Launching the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’

Chouhan introduced the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, a new initiative aimed at connecting scientists with farmers. He explained, "This campaign aims to bring scientists out of laboratories and into the fields—engaging with farmers in their villages to understand their challenges and assist them in adopting innovative practices."

He encouraged farmers to engage with visiting scientists, stating, "I urge all farmers to take the time to meet with scientists in their villages—learn new techniques to enhance your yield." He also invited scientists to view this initiative as a chance to serve, saying, "You have the privilege of directly assisting farmers—there is no greater act of service."

A Divine Blessing for the Initiative

As the event concluded, Chouhan sought divine blessings for the success of the initiative, saying, "With folded hands, I pray to Lord Jagannath for His grace and blessings on this noble campaign."

The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ is viewed as a transformative effort by the central government to enhance self-reliance and global competitiveness in Indian agriculture through improved collaboration between researchers and farmers.

Nationwide Engagement: Connecting with Over 1 Crore Farmers

This ambitious initiative will deploy 2,170 specialized agricultural teams—comprising scientists, extension officers, agricultural experts, and progressive farmers—to reach over 65,000 villages across all 723 districts in India. These teams aim to directly interact with 1 to 1.5 crore farmers over a 15-day period, facilitating knowledge exchange and empowering grassroots innovation.

Objectives of the Campaign

The campaign aims to make agricultural knowledge accessible and actionable. Key objectives include:

• Educating farmers about Kharif-specific crops and techniques to enhance productivity and sustainability.
• Raising awareness of modern agricultural technologies, government schemes, and policies supporting farmers.
• Promoting the use of Soil Health Cards (SHCs) by training farmers on effective fertilizer application.
• Gathering farmer feedback on crop selection and local innovations to help scientists realign their research priorities.
• Enhancing the “Lab to Land” approach by bridging the gap between research institutions and rural communities.

Mutual Learning: A New Approach

Chouhan noted that the campaign encourages a two-way learning process between scientists and farmers. Researchers from ICAR and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will visit farms, engage with cultivators, and learn from their innovative practices. This collaborative model aims to blend scientific knowledge with local wisdom.

A Historic Initiative in Indian Agriculture

This initiative marks the first large-scale coordinated interaction between agricultural scientists and farmers in India’s history. The government anticipates that this campaign will significantly contribute to transforming Indian agriculture into a more resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive sector.

As the nation gears up for the upcoming agricultural season, the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ is seen as a landmark initiative that will propel India towards self-reliant and developed agriculture by empowering those who feed the nation with the power of science.