New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting to conduct a comprehensive review of 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign), in an effort to understand and solve the problems faced by farmers across the country and increase agricultural production.

Under this campaign, over 2,170 teams have travelled across the country, reached more than 60 thousand villages and interacted with over 1.45 crore farmers.

The Union Minister said on Tuesday that the goal of the campaign is to increase farming production, reduce costs for farmers and stock up on the country's vegetable and fruit reserves.

'Our 2,170 teams went across the country during the Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign, reached more than 60,000 villages, and interacted with over 1.45 crore farmers. During the dialogue and discussions, several issues came up, such as research and development should be according to the needs of farmers... what problems farmers face on the ground and what legal solutions can be found for them, this was discussed... The goal is to increase production in farming and reduce costs directly, to increase farmers' income, and to fill the country's fruit and vegetable reserves,' Union Minister Chouhan told reporters here.

After chairing the meeting at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR), New Delhi, the minister said that there have been discussions planned for increasing production and reducing costs of specific crops, with the next discussion to be held on soybean on June 26 (tomorrow).

'We have observed problems in the campaign, assessed our strengths, and will prepare a roadmap by considering the work that needs to be done. Secondly, we have decided that for our different crops, we will discuss the problems related to increasing production, reducing costs, and combating diseases. For example, on the 26th, we are discussing the soybean crop in Indore,' Chouhan said.

Additionally, a two-day conference is to be held for the Rabi season, with day one being for officials, and the second day being for the minister to finalise the plan, according to an official statement from the Agriculture ministry.

Later on, discussions on cotton, sugarcane, and other crops by creating a roadmap in collaboration with the states.

'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' was conducted by the central government from May 29 to June 12. During the meeting, Chouhan described the campaign as a 'historic movement' in independent India, which is inspired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Lab to Land' vision, which connected scientists with over 60,000 villages.

According to an official statement from the Agriculture ministry, Chouhan emphasised that the initiative would continue with renewed focus on income enhancement, food security, and positioning India as a global food basket. He stressed the development and integration of biofortified crops, sustainable practices, and mechanisation, along with focused efforts on soil health, coastal agriculture, and animal husbandry.

The statement read that Chouhan also proposed the initiation of a 'Crop War' for major crops like pulses, oilseeds, soybean, cotton, and sugarcane. He announced plans for crop- and state-specific planning, research prioritisation, strict regulation against substandard inputs, and the formation of special teams to enforce compliance. He highlighted the need to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through dedicated nodal officers and mandated field engagement by scientists. (ANI)