The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in association with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, has launched a nationwide initiative titled ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’. This extensive pre-Kharif campaign is being conducted from May 29 to June 12, 2025, in a convergence model involving ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and state line departments.
In just ten days, the campaign has mobilized 1,896 teams, who have reached out to 8,95,944 farmers across 8,188 villages, fostering direct communication and feedback collection from farming communities across the country.
In Karnataka, more than 70 interdisciplinary teams of scientists and officials from agriculture and allied departments have been visiting farmers' fields daily. These visits aim to understand ground realities, interact with farmers, and collect valuable feedback to guide demand-driven and problem-oriented research for strengthening the agricultural sector.
A key highlight of the campaign is the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan program scheduled at ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR), Bengaluru, on June 8, 2025. On this occasion, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivaraj Singh Chauhan Ji, will address a gathering of nearly 500 farmers from Karnataka. He will also engage in direct interaction with farmers to understand local agricultural challenges and concerns. Additionally, the Hon’ble Minister will visit farmers’ fields and witness a technology showcase presented by various ICAR institutes based in Karnataka.
Established on September 5, 1967, ICAR-IIHR is a premier institute under ICAR, playing a pivotal role in India’s horticultural development. Over the past six decades, the institute has developed 327 improved varieties/hybrids and 130 technologies across fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants, and mushrooms.
This includes 38 varieties in fruit crops, 149 in vegetables, and 140 in flowers and medicinal crops. These innovations have been widely adopted across the country. So far, the institute has issued 1,550 licenses to 675 clients, facilitating the widespread dissemination of technologies.
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and practice by aligning scientific advancements with farmers’ needs, ensuring inclusive, sustainable, and technology-led agricultural growth in India.
