Latest news with #VikasitKrishiSankalpAbhiyan
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
CPCRI to empower farmers through science-driven plantation farming
Mangaluru: As part of the nationwide Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan being held from May 29 to June 12, the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is leading efforts to empower the farming community to enhance crop productivity, farmer profitability, and environmental sustainability through field-level engagement and science-backed interventions. Dr K Balachandra Hebbar, director of ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, said that the campaign involves collaboration between CPCRI scientists, nearby ICAR institutes, the state department of agriculture, ATMA, other line departments, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). Outreach teams are covering 80 to 90 villages per district, with each team engaging with two to three panchayats daily to provide farmers with practical solutions on crop management, soil health, and resource use. It is also highlighted that with the adoption of scientific technologies, it is possible to increase the yield of plantation crops by 10%, which would ultimately position India as the Food Basket of the World. In coconut alone, with 22 lakh hectares under cultivation, even a 10-nut increase per palm from the current average of 60 could yield 385 crore additional nuts annually, translating to an estimated Rs 3,850 crore boost in farmer revenue. A major thrust of the initiative is encouraging farmers to replace low-yielding varieties with high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties of coconut, arecanut, and cocoa. CPCRI has developed several effective coconut and arecanut-based cropping/farming system models that significantly enhance farm productivity, profitability, and climate resilience. One notable model is the coconut + black pepper + banana + pineapple system, the adoption of which has shown a net return of Rs 3.5 to Rs 4 lakh per hectare per year, which is two to three times higher than that from a sole coconut crop. At present, it is adopted in 10% of the area, but there is a huge scope to expand it to other areas. Another successful model is the arecanut + black pepper + cocoa + banana system. It provides a steady income throughout the year, with net returns reaching Rs 4.4 to Rs 10 lakh per hectare annually. Making trenches between coconut rows and incorporating organic waste like husks and leaves to conserve moisture and improve soil health results in a 20–30% yield increase. This system is more resilient to dry spells and contributes to sustainable production with minimal external inputs, making it especially beneficial for smallholder farmers in dry regions. Microbial consortium and customised nutrient mixtures like Kalpa Poshak and Kalpa Vardhini for young and mature palms, respectively, contribute to balanced plant nutrition, which is essential for sustained yield and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Over 8 lakh farmers have benefited from agri campaign so far
Lucknow: State agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Friday said that he has requested all MPs, MLAs and district panchayat presidents to ensure their participation in 'Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan which started from May 29 and will continue till June 12. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a press conference in Lok Bhawan, Shahi said that the aim of the campaign is to realize the vision of 'One Country, One Agriculture, One Team'. Under this campaign, farmers are being informed about the latest agricultural techniques, improved seeds, modern farming methods and govt schemes for Kharif crops. This campaign has been started on the initiative of the govt of India and is being operated with the cooperation of the institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agricultural Universities, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Cooperatives. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched this campaign in UP on May 29. The minister said that so far, programmes have been organized at a total of 4,959 places, in which 8,39,617 farmers have participated – including 6,48,449 men and 1,91,168 women. It is proposed to organize programs at a total of 10,125 sites. Shahi has participated in many events of the campaign, including the one in Lucknow, Bahraich, Deoria, Meerut, Hapur and Kanpur Nagar. At all the places, he directly communicated with scientists, departmental officials and hundreds of farmers and also planted trees. Under the campaign, 550 agricultural scientists and subject experts are training farmers according to their region, soil, weather and crop. This is an effort to implement the lab-to-land model at the ground level. To ensure timely sowing of Kharif 2025 and availability of improved seeds, the state govt has planned to distribute a total of 4,58,000 free minikits. The state govt has provided financial approval of a total of over Rs 410 crore for the successful implementation of this campaign.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's foodgrain production rises by 106 lakh tonnes in FY25, hits 1,663.91 lakh tonnes: Agri Minister Shivraj Chouhan
India's total foodgrain production in the financial year 2024-25 increased by over 106 lakh tonnes, reaching 1,663.91 lakh tonnes, up from the previous year's output, said Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday. "In 2023-24, total foodgrain production was around 15,57.6 lakh tonne. I am glad to tell you that in 2024-25, it has become 16,63.91 lakh tonne," Chouhan said addressing a press conference in the national capital. "The production of Rabi was 1600.06 lakh tonne in 2023-24, now it has become 1645.27 lakh tonne," he said. The Union Minister said that his ministry's vision is to make India the food basket of the world. "Our foodgrain production is don't want to stop here. We want to fulfil the needs of our country and also help several countries across the world. Our vision is to make India the food basket of the world, one day," the minister said. Live Events On Sunday, while participating in the farmers' Convention Krishi Samvaad in Maharashtra, Chouhan announced "One Nation, One Agriculture and One Team". The union minister said that if all the institutions are connected, targets are set, and roadmaps are made, then miracles can be made in agriculture. Chouhan said that Maharashtra, the holy land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , is amazing. The farmers here are hardworking and progressive; they have infinite possibilities. Another big announcement was made by the Union Agriculture Minister who said that a national-level lab will be set up in Pune under the Clean Plant Program . This laboratory will be set up in Pune to conduct research on the original species of plants. Union Agriculture Minister announced this while interacting with the farmers of Vidarbha in the Krishi Samvad program organised under the Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Nagpur. Emphasising increasing agricultural production, Chouhan said that the Clean Plant Program is being run to ensure pure and disease-free nurseries. To increase production, farmers should understand the need for good quality seeds, soil testing and reduction in production costs. During the event, the Union Agriculture minister informed that ICAR has 113 institutes across the country, 11 of which are in Maharashtra. He announced that a meeting with heads of all ICAR institutes would be held at the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) in Nagpur to chart the course for agricultural development in Maharashtra. The government is committed to bridging the gap between laboratories and farmlands.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Agriculture Ministry will work on the theme of 'One Nation-One Agriculture-One Team': Shivraj Singh Chouhan
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Sunday participated in the farmers' Convention Krishi Samvaad organised under the 'Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and addressed the gathering, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said in a release. During this, Chauhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated progressive farmers who were doing excellent work in the agriculture sector and extended their best wishes. On this occasion, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that today, we are announcing 'One Nation, One Agriculture and One Team' from Maharashtra. Today, the central and State Governments, the Chief Minister, the Agriculture Minister, MPs, MLAs, senior scientists, and the entire staff of the Agriculture Department are present here. The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, State Agriculture Ministry, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendra and all agricultural institutes should work together as a team. Shivraj Singh said that if all the institutions are connected, targets are set, and roadmaps are made, then miracles can be made in agriculture. Shivraj Singh said that Maharashtra, the holy land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is amazing. The farmers here are hardworking and progressive; they have infinite possibilities. While praising the Chief Minister, Union Minister Shivraj Singh said that he is constantly trying to transform the agricultural landscape and the fate of the farmers. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our farmers should become self-reliant, their income should increase, and for this, we all will work together as a team, he added. Another big announcement was made by Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who said that we are going to set up a national-level lab in Pune under the Clean Plant Program. This laboratory will be set up in Pune to conduct research on the original species of plants. Union Agriculture Minister announced this while interacting with the farmers of Vidarbha in the Krishi Samvad program organised under the Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Nagpur. Emphasising increasing agricultural production, Shivraj Singh said that the Clean Plant Program is being run to ensure pure and disease-free nurseries. To increase production, farmers should understand the need for good quality seeds, soil testing and reduction in production costs. During the event, Chouhan informed that ICAR has 113 institutes across the country, 11 of which are in Maharashtra. He announced that a meeting with heads of all ICAR institutes would be held at the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) in Nagpur to chart the course for agricultural development in Maharashtra. The government is committed to bridging the gap between laboratories and farmlands. With 16,000 agricultural scientists under ICAR, scientists will visit villages as a team along with agricultural extension officers to educate farmers about new seed varieties and innovative farming practices. Chouhan further stated that during the 15-day campaign from May 29 to June 12, agricultural scientists will visit villages to guide farmers on sustainable farming practices and plan for the Kharif season. On this occasion, Shivraj Singh said that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to taking the country forward. PM Modi's goal is to build a glorious, powerful, prosperous, rich and developed India. Chouhan, along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, inaugurated the National Soil Spectral Library, which includes data on soil pH Value, density, and elemental composition collected using hyperspectral sensor technology by NBSS & LUP. With this inauguration, Maharashtra became the first state to have a soil map. Additionally, Chouhan launched an AI-based Smart Trap technology for managing the pink bollworm pest affecting cotton crops. This technology will alert farmers about pest infestations in their crops. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis provided details about the Wainganga-Nalganga River Linking Project, which will enhance irrigation capacity in Vidarbha. He clarified that the state government will fully cooperate with the inclusive policy outlined by Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the entire nation. State Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate noted that labour shortages for cotton picking have become a challenge. Research and development are underway for battery-operated small tractors, and if successful, the results will be presented to the Agriculture Ministry. During the event, farmers from the Nagpur division excelling in natural farming, organic farming, and farmer-producer organisations were felicitated by the Union Agriculture Minister and the Chief Minister. The program saw a large attendance of farmers and agricultural officers from the Nagpur division. (ANI)
