Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Ichhawar in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, on the 10th day of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) and interacted directly with farmers. The campaign is an ambitious initiative that embodies the vision of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team”, aimed at connecting scientists with farmers across the country.
Major Announcements and Vision
During the event, Shri Chouhan highlighted that VKSA is not just a campaign but a movement to revolutionize Indian agriculture through innovation, knowledge-sharing, and community participation.
He shared that letters of acceptance for around 8 lakh new houses have been distributed to poor families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Importantly, the eligibility criteria for this scheme have been relaxed to now include individuals with:
-
Monthly income up to ₹15,000
-
Ownership of two-wheelers
-
Up to 2.5 acres of irrigated land or 5 acres of non-irrigated land
Women Empowerment and Infrastructure
The Minister emphasized women’s economic empowerment through the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, which is enabling poor women to become financially self-reliant. He assured early completion of long-pending rural road projects under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana and announced that Narmada river water will soon reach Sehore and surrounding villages, boosting irrigation and water supply in the region.
Agricultural Development: Six Core Goals of VKSA
Shri Chouhan laid out six core goals of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan:
-
Increase agricultural productivity
-
Reduce input costs
-
Ensure fair prices for farmers
-
Provide timely compensation for crop loss
-
Promote crop diversification
-
Preserve soil health through organic farming practices
He emphasized that high-quality seeds, tailored to regional soil and climate conditions, can boost crop yields by up to 1.5 times. Scientific teams are actively visiting villages to offer personalized guidance to farmers based on local agricultural challenges.
Insurance and Support for Farmers
To protect farmers from losses, Shri Chouhan announced a crucial reform in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — if there is a delay in insurance claim settlements, insurance companies will now pay an additional 12% interest. This move is aimed at ensuring greater accountability and farmer confidence in the scheme.
He also assured that Soybean will be procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and that procurement efforts will be strengthened.
Call for Modernization and Collective Effort
Concluding the session, Shri Chouhan urged farmers and stakeholders to support modern farming techniques and actively participate in VKSA to build a new roadmap for Indian agriculture. He reiterated that through joint efforts of scientists, policymakers, and farmers, India’s agriculture sector can become globally competitive and sustainable.
