Agricultural Initiative Viksit Krishi Sankalp Campaign wraps up in Gujarat: Over a million farmers participated, aiming at implementing natural farming on 7.5 lakh hectares this year.
Fresh Take:
Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, wrapped up the 15-day "Transformative Agriculture Pledge Campaign" on June 12, 2025, during a farmers' gathering in Bardoli, Gujarat. Addressing a sea of farmers and dignitaries, Chouhan underscored the campaign's purpose, emphasizing the importance of strengthening communication and relationships with our agricultural community.
Nestled on the revered land of Bardoli, witnessed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's iconic Satyagraha against the 22% farmers' tax hike in 1928, Chouhan paid tribute to Patel. He referred to Gujarat as a realm of legendary figures like Mahatma Gandhi and our current Prime Minister, hailing them as Gujarat's invaluable contributions to the nation.
The campaign's core objective was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Lab to Land" initiative. Highlighting the role agriculture plays in powering the country's economy, supporting nearly half its population, and contributing 18% to the GDP, the Minister accentuated that Indian agriculture is the backbone of the nation.
More than 1 crore 12 lakh farmers in over 1 lakh villages received support from 2,170 teams consisting of 16,000 scientists. These teams spread vital insights related to climate-specific agricultural practices, balanced fertilizer and pesticide usage, and advanced farming technologies. With dialogues at over 55,000 locations, scientists listened to farmers' concerns and provided immediate solutions while also gathering essential inputs for future research.
Gujarat's strides in agriculture are evident, as the state leads the nation in the production of crops like castor, cumin, fennel, and dates, contributing 77% of the country's castor, 44.5% groundnut, 24% cotton, and 15% gram production. Gujarat's agricultural development has benefited immensely from natural farming, widespread technology adoption, food processing, and value addition. Its horticulture sector is expanding swiftly, with farmers contributing more to agricultural exports.
Following the campaign's conclusion, Chouhan reaffirmed the government's commitment to a united agricultural vision under the aegis of "One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team." He emphasized the importance of adopting advanced seed varieties, efficient irrigation techniques, and farm mechanization as we progress.
Notable attendees at the event included Gujarat's 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. The campaign's scientific teams also joined virtually.
Beginning on May 29 in Odisha, the campaign toured 14 states, including Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, and Gujarat. The successful union of farmers, scientists, and policymakers promises a more prosperous and sustainable future for Indian agriculture.
Enriched Perspective:
The "Transformative Agriculture Pledge Campaign" is a nationwide initiative that has been successful in connecting scientists and experts with farmers. With over 2,000 teams traveling village to village, they're delivering crucial information straight to farmers' fields. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the campaign has already held 142 awareness camps for nearly 18,000 farmers.
The campaign is focused on three primary areas: natural farming, advanced seed varieties, and efficient irrigation techniques. By promoting sustainable and organic farming practices, reducing chemical inputs, and educating farmers about soil health, bio-fertilizers, and agroecological approaches, the campaign aims to protect the environment while improving crop yields.
Additionally, scientists are introducing high-yield, climate-resilient seed varieties suitable for local conditions. To help farmers cope with water scarcity, the initiative also promotes water-saving technologies like micro-irrigation, drip, and sprinkler systems. Modern tools and machinery are being showcased to reduce labor intensity and increase efficiency, especially among small and marginal farmers.
The campaign will be held twice a year – before the Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons – ensuring timely field-level interventions and continuous farmer education. The goal is to make Indian agriculture modern, innovative, and sustainable, turning India into a global food supplier while ensuring food security for its citizens. The campaign plans to reach millions more farmers as it continues in the coming cycles.
- The 'Transformative Agriculture Pledge Campaign' encompasses policy-and-legislation, as it emphasizes the adoption of advanced seed varieties, efficient irrigation techniques, and farm mechanization to promote modern and sustainable agriculture, a crucial aspect of politics.
- This campaign, which focuses on general-news topics such as natural farming, sustainable practices, and climate-resilient seed varieties, also covers disseminating vital information in distant regions like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, connecting scientists and experts with farmers to improve agricultural practices and exports.
