Jai Jagannath!

Today, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, a major campaign is being launched for the farmers of the country. The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign) is a unique initiative in itself. The monsoon is approaching, preparations for the Kharif season are underway, and during the next 12 to 15 days, over 2,000 teams comprising scientists, experts, officials, and progressive farmers will be visiting villages across the country. These teams will reach out to millions of farmers in more than 700 districts. I extend my best wishes to all the farmers of the country and to all the members of these teams for this grand campaign, this ambitious program, and for the bright future of Indian agriculture.

Friends,

Agriculture has traditionally been a state subject in our country. Each state formulates its own agricultural policies and takes steps in the interest of its farmers. But in today’s rapidly changing times, there is a need to bring comprehensive reforms to Indian agriculture. Our farmers have filled food reserves by producing record yields. However, markets are evolving, and consumer preferences are changing. Therefore, this is a humble effort to bring about changes in the agricultural system by working together with farmers and state governments. The goal is to modernize Indian agriculture, and for that, this campaign aims to initiate direct discussions with farmers. Under this campaign, our teams of scientists are taking the concept of “lab to land” forward in a major way. They will provide farmers with modern agricultural knowledge backed by data and will support them before the season begins.

Friends,

Over the past decades, our agricultural scientists have conducted valuable research and produced excellent results. On the other hand, our progressive farmers have introduced significant changes in agriculture through their own experiments — increasing yields and achieving great success. It is essential that the successful research of scientists and the successful practices of progressive farmers reach more and more of our farming community. You all have been working in this direction, but now there is a need to take this work forward with renewed energy. The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ provides a great opportunity to do so.

Friends,

For a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), Indian agriculture must also be developed. The central government is focusing on many key areas such as: How can farmers get fair prices for their produce? How can the agricultural economy be strengthened? How can we produce crops in line with national needs? How can Bharat not only meet its own food requirements but also become a global food supplier? How can Bharat become a food basket? How can we tackle the challenges of climate change? How can we produce more grains with less water? How can we protect Mother Earth from harmful chemicals? How can we modernize agriculture? How can science and technology reach the fields? Our government has worked extensively on these issues over the past 10–11 years. Now, your task is to raise as much awareness among farmers as possible through this campaign.

Friends,

One important topic is providing farmers with additional sources of income like setting up solar panels on farm boundaries; linking more farmers with the Sweet Revolution (beekeeping) which is happening in the country; using crop residues, which are often discarded as waste, to generate energy — creating wealth from waste; identifying which millet (Shree Anna) is best suited to which land; exploring value addition for various agricultural products etc. Today, even non-milking cattle are becoming income sources through the GOBARdhan Yojana. We must discuss all these matters with our farmer brothers and sisters, sit with them, and provide them with detailed information.

Friends,

This is a major resolution to make Indian agriculture a foundation of ‘Viksit Bharat’. I urge all our farmers to ask as many questions as possible to the scientists visiting your villages. And I also urge the scientists and officials: this is not just a government task — it's a national mission. Approach this with a spirit of service to the nation. Address every query of the farmers and document their valuable suggestions as well. The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ will open new doors of progress for our ‘annadatas’ (food providers). With this hope, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to the entire team and all the farmers.

Thank you!

***

MJPS/VJ/VK