Celebrating ICR's 97th anniversary, Shivraj Chouhan urges research prioritizing farmers and introduces a toll-free hotline for reporting counterfeit agricultural supplies
In a bid to modernise and boost agricultural productivity, the Indian government is spearheading several initiatives, with a focus on farmer engagement and scientific advancement. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been instrumental in driving these efforts, emphasising a 'farmer-first' approach and the relaunch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, set to be relaunched for the upcoming Rabi crop season, aims to strengthen interactions between farmers and scientists, and address regional farming challenges through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in every district. During its first phase, the campaign reached over 1.34 crore farmers across 1.42 lakh villages, demonstrating its extensive reach and potential for further transformation.
Minister Chouhan has also pledged to visit farms two days a week to engage directly with farmers and understand their ground-level issues. This approach underscores a focus on grassroots problem-solving. In addition, he has introduced new measures to make agriculture more profitable and sustainable, building on the success of initiatives like the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.
Despite these efforts, Indian agriculture faces several challenges, including soil health degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate variability. To address these issues, there is a push to increase crop diversity by 30% by 2025 to enhance ecological balance and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. India is also seeing growth in precision farming, with about 25% of cultivated land expected to adopt these practices by 2025, driven by satellite and app-based advisories.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also proposed the establishment of low-cost fertilizer outlets modeled on the government's Jan Aushadhi Kendra initiative, and called for greater adoption of natural farming methods to protect soil health and ensure long-term sustainability. He has also announced a soon-to-be-launched national toll-free grievance number for farmers.
During the 97th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Chouhan highlighted India's agricultural output having seen record growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also formalised several new research partnerships through MoUs aimed at strengthening collaboration in agricultural science.
The event, which was attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, and senior scientists and officials from across India, also conferred National Agricultural Science Awards to top scientists, young researchers, women scientists, and innovators.
Chouhan also inaugurated the Viksit Krishi Exhibition and launched 10 agricultural publications. However, no new information was provided about the annual foodgrain production or the planned expanded storage capacities.
In conclusion, India's agricultural research is focused on integrating technology, sustainability, and farmer engagement to improve productivity and profitability. The government's initiatives, driven by Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, aim to empower farmers, promote scientific advancements, and ensure a sustainable future for Indian agriculture.
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, set to be relaunched for the upcoming Rabi crop season, not only aims to strengthen interactions between farmers and scientists but also addresses regional farming challenges through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in every district. Minister Chouhan's focus on grassroots problem-solving is evident as he pledges to visit farms two days a week to engage directly with farmers.
The government's agricultural initiatives, spearheaded by Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, extend beyond farmer engagement and scientific advancement, with a push for policy and legislation changes in food-and-drink, general-news, and politics, such as the proposed establishment of low-cost fertilizer outlets and the national toll-free grievance number for farmers.
