Agricultural Growth Commitment Initiative - Program at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru (renamed)
Venturing Forward: India's 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' Empowers Farmers Nationwide
Get ready to revolutionize Indian agriculture! From May 29 to June 12, 2025, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, is embarking on an extensive pre-Kharif campaign—the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.' This groundbreaking initiative, operated in a convergence model involving ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and state line departments, aims to modernize Indian agriculture and support farmers across the country.
In just ten pulsating days, more than 1,896 proactive teams have reached out to over 8.9 lakh (8,95,944) farmers across 8,188 villages. This initiative boasts direct communication and feedback collection from farming communities, connecting researchers with realities on the ground.
In the vibrant Indian state of Karnataka, a whopping 70 cross-disciplinary teams of agricultural and allied department experts have been visiting farmers' fields daily. These visits serve to understand ground realities, mingle with farmers, and gather valuable feedback, empowering demand-driven and problem-oriented research geared towards strengthening the agricultural sector.
Mark your calendars for June 8, 2025, as the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' program will take center stage at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR), Bengaluru. On this fateful day, the Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivaraj Singh Chauhan Ji, will address an audience of nearly 500 farmers from Karnataka. The minister will engage in direct interactions with farmers, gaining insights into local agricultural challenges and concerns. Moreover, the minister will tour farmers' fields, bearing witness to a technology showcase presented by various ICAR institutes stationed in Karnataka.
Take a Peek at the Future—ICAR-IIHR's Innovations
Established on September 5, 1967, ICAR-IIHR is a trailblazing institute under ICAR, leaving an indelible impact on India's horticultural evolution. Over six decades, the institute has developed an impressive collection of 327 improved varieties and 130 technologies across a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal, and aromatic plants as well as mushrooms. Just check out these statistics:
- Fruit Crops: 38 innovative varieties
- Vegetables: 149 groundbreaking varieties
- Flowers and Medicinal Crops: 140 exciting innovations
These remarkable advancements have been widely adopted nationwide, with the institute issuing 1,550 licenses to 675 clients, facilitating the dissemination of technologies on an even wider scale.
The 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' initiative aims to eradicate the divide between research and practice, ensuring a seamless integration of scientific discoveries with the needs of our farmers. This collaboration promises the development of an inclusive, sustainable, and technology-driven agricultural sector in India.
First Published on: 08 Jun 2025, 06:52 IST
Note: The 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' aims to empower farmers, increasing food security, promoting nutritional food access, raising farmer incomes, and conserving natural resources. The campaign reaches out to over 1.5 crore farmers across 723 districts.
Source: Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan: Nationwide Campaign to Reach 1.5 Crore Farmers Across 700+ Districts from May 29 to June 12
The role of ICAR and ICAR-IIHR in this initiative is crucial, with a primary focus on aligning scientific advancements with farmers' needs.
Reference(s):
[1] ICAR[2] Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)[3] The Purpose and Importance of Research in Agriculture[4] Strategies to Alleviate Poverty Through Agriculture[5] Sustainable Agriculture: A Comprehensive Approach[6] Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)[7] Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India[8] National Commission on Farmers[9] Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK)[10] State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)[11] Farmers' Participatory Research and Development (FPRD)[12] Farmer-centric Research and Development (FCRD)[13] Integrated Farming System (IFS)[14] Water Resource Management Practices in Agriculture[15] Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture and Their Mitigation Strategies
Technology will play a significant role in the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', as ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR) showcases various innovations and improved varieties in agronomy, aiming to bridge the gap between research and practice to empower farmers across India. The technology showcased during the abhiyan will contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven agricultural sector, promoting food security, nutritional food access, raising farmer incomes, and conserving natural resources nationwide.
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