On the 13th day of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a farmers’ awareness programme was held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Buxar. The event was graced by the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ramnath Thakur, as the Chief Guest.
The programme began with a tree plantation ceremony, symbolizing the commitment to environmental sustainability. Following this, the Minister inaugurated an agricultural exhibition featuring stalls by local Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), IFFCO, and progressive farmers. Touring the exhibition, he lauded the innovative technologies and progressive agricultural practices on display.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized the need to empower farmers through awareness, cutting-edge agricultural research, frontline demonstrations, and the promotion of quality seeds and planting materials. He called upon agricultural scientists, extension officials, and stakeholders to strengthen their field-level engagement and ensure that modern technologies reach farmers effectively.
Earlier, Dr. Anup Das, Director of ICAR-RCER, Patna, and Nodal Officer for the Abhiyan in Bihar and Jharkhand, welcomed the dignitaries and shared the campaign’s progress. He informed that since its launch on May 29, over 8.25 lakh farmers in Bihar and Jharkhand have benefitted through direct interactions and exposure to improved kharif cultivation practices and government schemes.
He also highlighted KVK Buxar’s significant contributions since its establishment in 2007, including the promotion of climate-resilient technologies like direct seeded rice, zero tillage in wheat, crop diversification, and custom hiring services. For its outstanding extension work, KVK Buxar was recently conferred the NAAS Best KVK Award 2025 for Zone IV.
Dr. P.S. Pandey, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, served as the Guest of Honour. He highlighted the success of four mushroom production units in the district, operated in collaboration with KVK.
These units have not only boosted mushroom cultivation but have also ventured into value-added processing, producing biscuits, snacks, and mushroom powder, offering additional income avenues for farmers. He encouraged rural youth, especially women, to pursue skill development training in tailoring, drone operations, and machinery maintenance.
Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director of ICAR-ATARI, Patna, addressed farmers on the importance of soil health and introduced them to the principles and benefits of natural farming.
The event witnessed the participation of several key dignitaries including Dr. Bikas Das, Director, NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur; Dr. Monobrullah; Dr. Ujjwal Kumar; Dr. Bikas Sarkar; Joint Director (Agriculture and Plant Protection), Government of Bihar; Dr. Parasnath, Principal, Veer Kunwar Singh Agricultural College; Dr. Prem Prakash Srivastava, Dean, College of Fisheries; the District Agriculture Officer, Buxar; and Deputy Project Director, ATMA, among others.
Around 800 male and female farmers from various blocks of Buxar district took part in the programme. The event was successfully organized with active support from KVK staff including Hari Govind, Ramkewal, Arif Parvez, Ravi Chatterjee, Rakesh Mani, Rajesh Kumar Rai, Sarfaraz Ahmad Khan, and Mukesh.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Devkaran, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Buxar. This was shared by Umesh Kumar Mishra, Member Secretary (Media), ICAR-RCER, Patna.
