The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) 2025 at ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on May 29, 2025. This campaign, aligned with the Prime Minister's vision for a self-reliant and sustainable India, aims to reach over 1.5 crore farmers nationwide, promoting advanced agricultural and fisheries technologies through dissemination, capacity building, and grassroots engagement. Dignitaries from the Government of Odisha and ICAR leadership participated in the event, emphasizing the importance of innovation, infrastructure, and institutional support for agricultural transformation. A key highlight included the release of CIFA Argu VAXI, a novel fish vaccine developed by ICAR-CIFA. The VKSA 2025 campaign will continue nationwide from May 29 to June 12, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: Government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Union Agriculture Minister: The minister in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan: A campaign launched to transform Indian agriculture. Also referred to as VKSA 2025.
ICARCIFA: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, a research institute located in Bhubaneswar.
Bhubaneswar: City in Odisha, India, location of the ICARCIFA.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
VKSA 2025: Abbreviation for Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025. A campaign to promote advanced agricultural technologies.
ICARCentral Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture: Full name of ICARCIFA. A research institute.
Kausalyaganga: Location within Bhubaneswar where ICARCIFA is located.
Odisha: State in India where the launch event took place.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Energy, Government of Odisha.
Government of Odisha: The state government of Odisha.
Shri Gokulananda Mallik: Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha.
Shri Babu Singh: MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly), Ekamra.
Ekamra: Constituency represented by Shri Babu Singh.
Shri Ashrit Pattanayak: MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly), Pipili.
Pipili: Constituency represented by Shri Ashrit Pattanayak.
Dr. M. L. Jat: Director General, ICAR Secretary DARE.
ICAR: Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
DARE: Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
Dr. J.K. Jena: Deputy Director General Fisheries Science.
Dr. Rajbir Singh: Deputy Director General Agricultural Extension.
Dr. Pradip Dey: Director, ICARATARI, Kolkata.
ICARATARI: Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute of ICAR.
Kolkata: City in India, location of ICARATARI.
DG ICAR: Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
preKharif: Refers to the period before the Kharif cropping season.
Viksit Bharat: Developed India.
Self Help Groups: Groups of individuals who come together to address common economic and social issues.
CIFA Argu VAXI: A novel fish vaccine developed by ICARCIFA.
HonbleAgriculture Minister: Refers to Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Agriculture Minister.
KVK Khordha: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Agricultural Science Centre) in Khordha.
SHGs: Abbreviation for Self Help Groups.
DDG Agricultural Extension: Deputy Director General Agricultural Extension, refers to Dr. Rajbir Singh.
May 29 to June 12, 2025: Duration of the VKSA2025 campaign.
PSFKSRAR: An identifier, possibly related to the press release.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Launches ‘Viksit Krishi
Sankalp Abhiyan’ at ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar
Posted On: 29 MAY 2025 5:54PM by PIB Delhi
In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming Indian agriculture, the Union Minister of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-
2025) at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar,
Odisha.The campaign aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a self-reliant and
sustainable India, and seeks to promote the widespread adoption of advanced agricultural and fisheries
technologies across the nation.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the campaign’s ambitious goal to reach
over 1.5 crore farmers across India through technology dissemination, capacity building, and grassroots
engagement. He emphasized that fisheries is an integral pillar of India’s food security and a viable
pathway for livelihood development, and stressed that all technologies developed by ICAR-CIFA must
effectively reach farmers to enhance their income and build a developed and resilient fisheries sector.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by several eminent dignitaries, including Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh
Deo, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment & Energy, Government
of Odisha; Shri Gokulananda Mallik, Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development,
Government of Odisha; Shri Babu Singh, MLA, Ekamra; and Shri Ashrit Pattanayak, MLA, Pipili. From
the ICAR leadership, the event witnessed the presence of Dr. M. L. Jat, Director General, ICAR & Secretary
(DARE); Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science); Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director
General (Agricultural Extension); and Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata. The dignitaries
were formally welcomed by Dr. J.K. Jena.
Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, in his remarks, expressed that the VKSA campaign is a timely intervention
that will accelerate Odisha’s agricultural transformation and empower farmers through greater access to
innovation, infrastructure, and institutional support.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gokulananda Mallik reiterated the Odisha Government’s commitment to
empowering farmers and livestock owners through free veterinary health services and proactive animal
husbandry programs aimed at rural economic development.
DG ICAR, Dr. M. L. Jat, described VKSA-2025 as a transformational pre-Kharif campaign that bridges
cutting-edge scientific research with farmers’ needs on the ground. He called upon all stakeholders to unite in
realizing the vision of Viksit Krishi for a Viksit Bharat, ensuring prosperity and resilience in Indian
agriculture.
More than 600 farmers and farm women from Self Help Groups participated in the scientist-farmer
interaction session, gaining insights into sustainable practices, improved technologies, and integrated
approaches to agriculture and aquaculture.
A key highlight of the day was the release of a novel fish vaccine – “CIFA Argu VAX–I” – by the Hon’bleAgriculture Minister. Developed by ICAR-CIFA, this vaccine targets parasitic infections in fish, offering a
significant breakthrough in fish health management and reducing economic losses in aquaculture.
On the sidelines, an exhibition was organized showcasing innovations and products by Self Help Groups
(SHGs), KVK Khordha, and ICAR-CIFA, reflecting community involvement and grassroots innovation.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rajbir Singh, DDG (Agricultural Extension), who
expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, and stakeholders for their overwhelming support in making
the launch ceremony a grand success.
The VKSA-2025 campaign will continue nationwide from May 29 to June 12, 2025, engaging farmers
across all districts in a mission to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agricultural sector.
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PSF/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2132405)