Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that India will be developed into the world’s food basket. He emphasized that beyond feeding the 145 crore citizens of the country, the Central Government will collaborate with State Governments, Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), farmers, and scientists to draw a comprehensive roadmap to achieve this goal.

Addressing farmers at the ICAR-IIHR campus in Bengaluru today, as part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, the Minister highlighted that the initiative is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. The campaign’s motto is “Viksit Agricultural India”. As part of this program, the “Lab to Land” initiative has been launched, involving over 16,000 scientists who are engaging with farmers across the country to provide scientific knowledge and support. Over the past ten days, 1,896 teams have interacted with approximately 9 lakh farmers across 8,188 villages.

In Karnataka alone, more than 70 interdisciplinary teams comprising scientists and officials from agriculture and allied departments are visiting farms daily. These teams are recording feedback directly from farmers to shape need-based, problem-oriented agricultural research programs. So far, 639 teams have visited 2,495 villages, engaging with 2,77,264 farmers.

Shri Chouhan stated that the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan envisions “One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team.” To ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce, the Central Government will bear transportation costs under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), thereby supporting access to markets. He also issued a stern warning against those involved in the sale of adulterated pesticides, stating that strict action will be taken against such offenders.

During the event, the Minister felicitated seven outstanding farmers from Karnataka—Ratnamma, Gopal Gowda, Padmini Gowda, H.K. Raghu, Mangalamma, Mahesh H.N., and Sreenivas—for their significant contributions to agriculture.

 

*****

(Release ID: 2135006)