Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan Crosses Halfway Mark, Empowers Millions of Farmers
Punjab, June 5, 2025 – The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a nationwide campaign for agricultural transformation, has successfully reached its halfway milestone. On Day 8 of the campaign, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with farmers in Punjab.
The event was also attended by Punjab Agriculture Minister Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, ICAR DG Dr. M.L. Jat, and senior officials from Punjab Agricultural University.
Connecting Science with the Soil
The Abhiyan aims to take modern agricultural research “lab to land.” Agricultural scientists are visiting villages, offering location-specific guidance on:
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Soil nutrient management
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Climate-adaptive crop selection
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Pest control
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Balanced agrochemical use
This field data is also being recorded and will directly shape future farming policies.
Hands-on Leadership
To understand ground-level challenges, Shri Chouhan himself drove a tractor in the fields. He emphasized the importance of leadership that directly connects with farmers’ day-to-day realities.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s visit to Punjab reflects the government’s commitment to empower rural India through direct dialogue and localised action.
He also praised Punjab’s farmers, calling them the backbone of India’s food security. He recalled the country’s past dependency on poor-quality grain imports and how the Green Revolution led by Punjab’s farmers changed that.
Record Harvests Across Crops
Shri Chouhan announced that this year, India achieved record-high wheat production. He also noted growth in:
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Rice
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Pulses
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Soybean
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Groundnut
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Oilseeds
India is now self-sufficient in food grain production, with productivity on a steady rise.
Paddy Revolution: Direct Seeding Saves Water and Cost
The Minister strongly promoted Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR). This technique cuts water use, reduces labour costs, and still maintains yield.
Farmers reported significant savings without compromising output. Shri Chouhan urged large-scale adoption of DSR, especially in water-stressed areas.
He also warned against overuse of pesticides, explaining how it raises input costs and reduces crop quality.
New Growth Area: Horticulture in Punjab
Punjab’s fertile lands are also ideal for fruits and vegetables, said the Minister. He called on farmers to diversify and grow export-grade horticulture crops.
Six Pillars of Agricultural Reform
Shri Chouhan outlined six major goals for Indian agriculture:
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Increase productivity
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Reduce input costs
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Ensure fair prices
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Compensate crop losses
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Promote crop diversification
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Conserve natural resources
Indus Waters Treaty Revoked: A Win for Farmers
He welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw from the Indus Waters Treaty. The Minister said this step will now allow India to use its water resources for the benefit of:
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Punjab
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Haryana
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Rajasthan
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Himachal Pradesh
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Jammu & Kashmir
Final Word: Farmers Come First
Shri Chouhan concluded, “My highest duty is to serve farmers. Their prosperity is my mission.” He reaffirmed his commitment to policies that directly benefit India’s farming community.
