In a powerful outreach aimed at strengthening the connection between policymakers and cultivators, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Narayangaon in Pune district, Maharashtra, on the sixth day of the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. The visit emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing farmers’ welfare and accelerating agricultural transformation in India under the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Farmers at the Center of Development Dialogue
During his interaction, Shri Chouhan engaged directly with hundreds of farmers, listening to their concerns, sharing insights on government schemes, and discussing the roadmap for a self-reliant and prosperous agricultural sector.
“The heart of India’s economy beats in its farms. Listening to farmers and solving their challenges is not just a duty—it is a commitment to the future of our nation,” said Shri Chouhan.
He highlighted the key objectives of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, which include:
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Spreading awareness about government welfare schemes
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Promoting the adoption of advanced and sustainable farming techniques
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Encouraging youth participation in agri-entrepreneurship
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Boosting soil health, water conservation, and digital agriculture
Spotlight on Narayangaon: A Model Agricultural Hub
Narayangaon, known for its horticultural produce, especially tomatoes and grapes, served as a fitting venue for the dialogue. Farmers shared feedback on market access, post-harvest support, irrigation issues, and challenges related to climate-resilient agriculture.
Shri Chouhan praised the region’s contribution to India’s fruit and vegetable economy and assured enhanced infrastructure and support under ongoing schemes like:
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PM-KISAN
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Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
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Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
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Digital Agriculture Mission
He also urged local farmers to take full advantage of the Agri-Stack, a digital framework being developed to enable precision farming and targeted benefits.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan: A National Movement
Launched as part of the government’s broader Viksit Bharat mission, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a nationwide campaign to reach out to the farming community, gather grassroots-level feedback, and co-create agricultural policy reform.
The campaign has already witnessed the participation of ministers, officials, scientists, and agri-entrepreneurs across multiple states, making it a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on dialogue-driven development in the agriculture sector.
Empowering Farmers, Enriching the Nation
Shri Chouhan reiterated the government’s focus on “Annadata se Urjadata” (from food provider to energy provider), encouraging farmers to explore bio-energy, solar farming, and allied sectors to diversify income sources.
He also emphasized skill development, farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), and value chain integration as pillars of the future-ready Indian agriculture.
The program in Narayangaon concluded with the distribution of awareness kits, showcasing information on crop insurance, credit schemes, subsidies, and helplines, followed by a pledge by farmers to actively contribute to a Viksit Krishi, Viksit Bharat.
