VKSA campaign concludes in Assam with Massive Farmer Outreach

Guwahati: The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA), a flagship agricultural outreach programme of the Government of India, concluded on a high note in Assam after a vibrant two-week campaign from May 29 to June 12. The initiative, led by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, aimed at fostering scientific and technology-based growth in agriculture. Coordinated in Assam by ICAR-ATARI Zone VI, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Assam state government, ICAR institutes, and Assam Agricultural University, the campaign saw the active participation of all 26 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the state, covering every district. The scale of engagement was significant — over 4.55 lakh farmers from 8,892 villages took part, including a notable turnout of 2.14 lakh men and 2.40 lakh women, reflecting inclusive participation. The VKSA campaign featured 1,138 awareness events, on-field demonstrations, and interactive consultations across all agro-climatic zones of Assam. A dedicated team of 52 field groups worked tirelessly in remote regions, facilitating a dynamic exchange between scientists and farmers. The program also placed a strong emphasis on farmer feedback, which will be instrumental in shaping future agricultural policies and research priorities. One of the campaign’s highlights was the Seed Exchange Program, where nearly 80 farmers exchanged 30 varieties of crops, including rice, pulses, vegetables, and horticultural produce. This was complemented by animal health camps and distribution of agricultural inputs to bolster farmer resilience. Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director of ICAR-ATARI Zone VI, praised the campaign, stating, “This is not just a campaign but a celebration of Assam’s agri-wisdom and resilience.” He emphasized the importance of grassroots innovations that emerged during the drive, such as homemade egg incubators, bio-pesticides, low-cost mushroom sterilization methods, and bamboo markers for line sowing — all of which underscore the ingenuity of local farming communities.