Puri: In a significant move aimed at revolutionizing agricultural practices and boosting farmer incomes, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, today launched the ‘Bikashisht Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Sakshigopal, Puri. The nationwide initiative, set to engage 1.5 crore farmers, was inaugurated by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The dignitaries marked the launch by planting saplings under the “Ek Peed Ma Ke Naam” campaign, symbolizing a commitment to both environmental sustainability and agricultural growth.
The ‘Bikashisht Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ is an intensive 15-day outreach program designed to directly connect with farmers across the country, disseminating vital information on new agricultural knowledge, modern technologies, and innovative seed varieties.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Majhi highlighted the campaign’s transformative potential. “This ‘Bikshith Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ is a groundbreaking initiative by the Government of India to empower our farmers with modern technologies,” he stated. “Through this campaign, which runs until June 12th, the government aims to reach approximately 1.5 crore farmers in 700 districts across the nation, making them aware of the practical application of new agricultural technologies.”
Detailing the campaign’s structure, the Chief Minister explained that each district will form three dedicated teams. These teams, comprising scientists and departmental officers from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, will jointly engage with rural farmers on crucial topics related to agriculture, horticulture, and soil conservation. “Each team will visit two villages daily, interacting with 250 farmers in each village,” Shri Majhi elaborated, “They will discuss farmer welfare schemes from both Central and State Governments, alongside various programs, initiatives, and the practical aspects of new knowledge and skills.”
He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that research-based agricultural information directly benefits the farming community. Farmers will receive awareness on critical practices such as soil health testing, the effective use of soil health cards, optimal fertilizer management, and the principles of climate-resilient agriculture.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi also underscored his government’s dedication to the welfare of rice farmers in Odisha. “Our government has taken various historic steps to provide better prices to the rice farmers of the state and to include them in the economic mainstream of society,” he asserted. “This has been possible only due to our government’s new schemes and its unwavering commitment to the welfare of our farmers.”
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan lauded Odisha’s progressive approach to agriculture. “Odisha State has set an example for the whole of India today,” Shri Chouhan remarked. He specifically praised the ‘Samriddh Kisan Yojana,’ through which the Odisha government is procuring paddy from farmers at an impressive Rs. 3100 per quintal – a remarkable Rs. 800 higher than the Minimum Support Price (MSP). “This is a very important step because if the income of the farmer increases, the income of the country increases,” he affirmed.
Beyond agriculture, Shri Chouhan also commended Odisha’s strides in women’s empowerment, citing schemes like ‘Subhadra.’ “Be it women empowerment or development of agricultural infrastructure, we believe that Odisha will be an example for the whole world,” the Union Agriculture Minister stated.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, also spoke at the event, describing the ‘Bikshith Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ as a vital tool for empowering farmers mechanically. “This campaign is starting from Odisha, and its benefits will directly reach the farmers of Odisha,” he assured.
The inauguration witnessed the presence of several key dignitaries, including Pipili MLA Ashrit Patnaik, Satyabadi MLA Om Prakash Mishra, Brahmagiri MLA Upasana Mohapatra.
Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department Dr. Arbinda Kumar Padhee, and OUAT Vice Chancellor Professor Parvat Kumar Roul.
Dr. Mangilal Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Government of India, and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, delivered the welcome address. Shubham Saxena, Director, Department of Agriculture, concluded the event with a vote of thanks.