On June 7, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Ichhawar in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh as part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA). This campaign aims to strengthen the vision of "One Nation–One Agriculture–One Team" by building a strong connection between agricultural scientists and farmers across the country.
Chouhan, who has already travelled to Odisha, Jammu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttarakhand under this initiative, returned to his home district of Sehore for a direct interaction with farmers. In his address to a large gathering, he emphasized that India's development journey is gaining momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He announced that letters of acceptance for nearly 800,000 new houses have been issued under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The eligibility criteria for the scheme have also been expanded to include families with an income of up to Rs 15,000, those owning a two-wheeler, and individuals holding up to 2.5 acres of irrigated or 5 acres of non-irrigated land.
Chouhan also highlighted the importance of women-led development, citing the success of the Lakhpati Didi program. He assured the audience that all pending rural roads under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana will be completed soon. Additionally, he announced that the long-awaited supply of Narmada water to Sehore and nearby villages will be fulfilled shortly.
Focusing on six key goals of the VKSA, Chouhan outlined aspirations to increase agricultural production, reduce costs, ensure fair prices, provide compensation for crop losses, promote crop diversification, and protect soil health through organic farming. He mentioned that using high-quality seeds suitable for local conditions could boost yields by 1.5 times. Scientific teams are already in the field, advising farmers on crop practices and gathering feedback for future research.
Chouhan confirmed that soybeans will be procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and that delays in crop insurance payments under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana will now incur a 12% interest penalty from insurance companies.
He urged farmers to actively participate in the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan and contribute to creating a new roadmap for Indian agriculture.
