Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan formally concluded the 15-day nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' on June 12, 2025, during a Kisan Sammelan held in Bardoli, Gujarat. Addressing thousands of farmers and dignitaries on the final day, the Minister declared that while the campaign may have officially ended, the mission to strengthen communication and connection with farmers will continue unabated.
Standing on the historic land of Bardoli, where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel launched the iconic Satyagraha movement in 1928 against the oppressive 22% tax hike on farmers, Chouhan paid rich tributes to Patel and called Gujarat a land of legends, from Mahatma Gandhi to the current Prime Minister, who he referred to as Gujarat’s gift to the nation.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the core vision behind launching the campaign, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Lab to Land' initiative. He said that Indian agriculture remains the backbone of the nation’s economy, supporting nearly half of its population and contributing 18% to the GDP.
The campaign mobilized 2,170 teams made up of over 16,000 scientists to bring scientific knowledge directly to the fields. These teams reached out to more than 1 crore 12 lakh farmers in over 1 lakh villages, sharing vital insights on climate-specific agricultural practices, balanced use of fertilizers and pesticides, and advanced farming technologies. Dialogues were organized at over 55,000 locations, where scientists listened to farmers’ concerns and offered real-time solutions while also gathering valuable input for future research.
Praising Gujarat’s advancements in agriculture, the Minister pointed out that the state leads the country in the production of crops like castor, cumin, fennel, and dates. Gujarat alone contributes 77% of the nation’s castor, 44.5% groundnut, 24% cotton, and 15% gram production.
The state has seen immense benefits from natural farming and large-scale adoption of technology, food processing, and value addition. Gujarat’s horticulture sector, too, is expanding rapidly, and its farmers are increasingly contributing to agricultural exports.
Chouhan shared that many farmers he met during the campaign spoke highly of natural farming, saying it helps reduce input costs while maintaining quality and yield. He emphasized six key pillars to improve agriculture: boosting productivity, reducing costs, ensuring fair prices, providing compensation for crop loss, encouraging crop diversification, and preserving soil fertility for future generations. He noted that the campaign has already set a target of bringing 7.5 lakh hectares under natural farming, with 18 lakh farmers showing interest in making the shift.
As the campaign concluded, Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated the government’s commitment to a unified agricultural vision under the slogan 'One Nation-One Agriculture-One Team.' He stressed the need to move forward with initiatives like adopting advanced seed varieties, efficient irrigation techniques, and farm mechanization.
He also acknowledged farmers who have increased their incomes tenfold by embracing new technologies and schemes, calling them "true scientists" and role models for shaping the future of Indian agriculture.
The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Agriculture Minister Raghavjibhai Patel, Labor and Employment Minister Kunwarji Halpati, local MPs and MLAs, and senior officials from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Department of Agricultural Research and Education. Teams of scientists involved in the campaign also participated virtually.
The campaign, which began on May 29 in Odisha, saw the Union Minister visiting 14 states including Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, and Gujarat. Through Kisan Chaupals, conferences, and padyatras, the campaign successfully brought together farmers, scientists, and policymakers to chart a more prosperous and sustainable future for Indian agriculture.
