Bhubaneswar: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025) at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Odisha, with the aim of promoting advanced agricultural and fisheries technologies among farmers across the country.
The campaign has been launched as part of efforts to strengthen sustainable and technology-driven agriculture in line with the vision of a self-reliant farming sector.
During the programme, the Agriculture Minister said the campaign aims to reach more than 1.5 crore farmers through technology dissemination, awareness activities, and farmer engagement programmes. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that scientific innovations developed by research institutions effectively reach farmers at the grassroots level.
The Minister also stated that fisheries play an important role in food security and rural livelihoods, adding that wider adoption of improved aquaculture technologies can help strengthen the sector and improve farmer incomes.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including:
- Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo
- Gokulananda Mallik
- Senior officials from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
More than 600 farmers and women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) participated in the scientist-farmer interaction sessions organised during the event. Farmers received information related to sustainable farming practices, integrated agriculture, aquaculture technologies, and scientific farming methods.
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A key highlight of the programme was the launch of “CIFA Argu VAX–I”, a fish vaccine developed by ICAR-CIFA for managing parasitic infections in fish and reducing economic losses in aquaculture.
An exhibition showcasing innovations and products developed by Self Help Groups, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and ICAR-CIFA was also organised alongside the event.
According to officials, the VKSA-2025 campaign will continue across the country from May 29 to June 12, 2025, with activities planned in different districts to promote modern agricultural technologies and farmer awareness.
Supporting Better Agricultural Connectivity
As agricultural outreach programmes and technology adoption continue to expand, access to better coordination and agricultural networks is becoming increasingly important for farmers. Platforms like KisanSabha help connect farmers with dealers, transporters, and other stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem, supporting smoother communication and market linkages.
