Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged farmers across the country to actively participate in the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a nationwide agricultural outreach campaign set to run from May 29 to June 12, 2025. In a message shared on social media platform X, the Minister encouraged farmers to take full advantage of the campaign, which will bring agricultural scientists and experts directly to villages. He emphasized that the initiative aims not only to disseminate information but also to provide practical, region-specific solutions to address farmers’ real challenges on the ground.
“You can ask how to improve your crop, reduce costs, adopt new techniques, and protect your yield from pests and diseases,” he said, encouraging farmers to “connect with the campaign, increase production, reduce expenses, and move towards a developed agriculture that contributes to a Viksit Bharat.”
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is set to reach approximately 1.5 crore farmers across 700 districts in just 15 days. With an estimated 2,000 teams comprising farm scientists, agricultural officers, and progressive farmers, the campaign will hold about three meetings per day in each district, reaching 10 to 12 lakh farmers daily.
The initiative will integrate the efforts of various institutions including 113 ICAR research institutes, state agricultural universities, innovative farmers, and farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), creating a united front for the betterment of Indian agriculture. The campaign also highlights the government’s emphasis on connecting scientific research directly with field-level farming practices.
According to the Minister, India's total foodgrain production increased from 3,157.74 lakh tonnes in 2023–24 to 3,309.18 lakh tonnes in 2024–25. Pulses saw a rise from 221.71 to 230.22 lakh tonnes, while oilseed output jumped from 384 to 416 lakh metric tonnes. The campaign aims to build on this momentum by aligning expert knowledge with the needs of farmers at the grassroots level.
During a recent Kharif Conference attended by state agriculture ministers, it was agreed to launch this annual initiative ahead of both Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons to ensure the timely dissemination of research findings and recommendations.
As part of this initiative, 2,170 expert teams, each with at least four members, will visit over 65,000 villages across 723 districts. These teams will consist of experts from agricultural universities, ICAR research bodies, government departments, and FPOs. They will hold morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to engage with farmers and provide location-specific advice based on agro-climatic conditions, soil health, and water availability.
The campaign will make extensive use of Soil Health Cards to help farmers choose suitable crops, high-yield seed varieties, balanced fertilizers, and effective sowing techniques. Importantly, the approach is not one-sided, farmers will also have the chance to express their challenges and share their feedback, including on pest and disease outbreaks.
This interaction is expected to help shape future agricultural research priorities. With the support of 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and thousands of ICAR scientists, the campaign seeks to foster a strong link between science and the farming community, making agriculture more productive, cost-effective, and sustainable.
