The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched a nationwide outreach initiative titled "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA)", scheduled from 29th May to 12th June 2025, during the Pre-Kharif season. This flagship campaign aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and grassroots practices by directly connecting scientific advancements with farmers, thereby contributing to the realisation of the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

Under ICAR's guidance, ICAR-ATARI, Zone X, Hyderabad, has been entrusted with coordinating the VKSA campaign in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The campaign is being implemented through the collective efforts of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR Institutes, regional research centres, and State Agricultural Universities, in close collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries of the respective states.

As part of this ongoing national initiative, Hon'ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is visiting the VKSA programme sites in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana on 9th June 2025. The visit intends to facilitate interaction with farmers and provide strategic guidance to enhance the campaign's impact.

During his visit, Hon'ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will interact with the farmers (Farmers Chaupal) at Mansanpally Village and Ramachandraguda Village, Ranga Reddy District. This will be followed by the Minister's address to the farmers at Kallem Jangareddy Gardens, Mangalpalli Village, Ibrahimpatnam on Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan's ambitious goal to reach over 1.5 crore farmers across India through technology dissemination and grassroots engagement.

Shri Bhagirath Chaudhary, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, will be participating along with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, GOI.

Shri Thummala Nageswara Rao, Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture, Government of Telangana, Hyderabad, will be participating in the event along with Shri M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Commission on Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE, Govt. of India & Director General, ICAR along with Dr AK Nayak, Deputy Director General (NRM), Dr. DK Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science). Dr. A Velmurugan, ADG (SWCE) will be participating in the event.

About 1500 farmers and farm women across Telangana are expected to participate in the scientist-farmer interaction session, to gain insights into sustainable practices, improved technologies, and integrated approaches to agriculture and aquaculture.

On the sidelines, an exhibition will be organised to showcase innovations and products by Telangana KVKs and ICAR institutes of Hyderabad.

Before the village visit, Hon'ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will visit ICAR - Indian Institute of Millet Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to lay the foundation stone for the upcoming facilities, visit various facilities and tree plantation.

The Directors and scientists of Hyderabad-based ICAR institutes, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (Zone X), ICAR - Indian Institute of Rice Research, ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research & Management, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, and ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture. ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseed Research, ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, ICAR-National Meat Research Institute, ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station and Winter Nursery Centre, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research will be participating in the event.

***

Monday Press Release