Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], June 13 (HBTV): As part of the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday launched the state-level campaign from Kurukshetra.

According to an official release, the objective of the campaign is to improve the agricultural sector by connecting farmers with new technologies, schemes, and innovations. It aims to educate farmers on scientific techniques for kharif crops, highlight the importance of soil health cards, and provide access to government schemes and policies. Through direct interaction with farmers, feedback will be gathered to guide future agricultural research. The campaign, which runs across the state until June 12, is part of the government’s broader effort to empower farmers.

Addressing farmers from across the state at a joint event organised by the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry along with ICAR at Kurukshetra University, CM Saini said India has achieved self-reliance in food grain production due to the hard work and dedication of its farmers.

He said the campaign would turn every farmer into a policy participant and innovation partner, and emphasised that it is not merely a programme but a public movement aimed at empowering farmers with knowledge, innovation, and technology.

‘It is a triveni, where agricultural scientists, officers from agriculture and allied departments, and farmers will engage in direct dialogue,’ he said.

The Chief Minister noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers farmers the backbone of his vision for a Viksit Bharat, adding that a developed, strong, and prosperous India is only possible when its farmers are self-reliant.

He stated that under this campaign, more than 2,000 teams of agricultural scientists and officers have been formed across the country. These teams will visit villages and directly interact with around 1.5 crore farmers — making it the largest outreach programme in the history of Indian agriculture. During the campaign, farmers will receive advice tailored to their local climate, soil, and crop conditions.

Highlighting Haryana’s challenges, Saini said that while it is an agriculture-dominated state, issues such as climate change, water scarcity, declining soil fertility, and shifting market demands persist. He asserted that the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan would equip farmers to face these challenges. The campaign would serve as a bridge from lab to land by bringing agricultural research directly to the fields. Scientists, officers, and progressive farmers will jointly cover 1,380 villages and 109 blocks across the state.

He further added that digital tools have revolutionised farming, and the campaign will include awareness about digital technologies to support farmers in transitioning to smart agriculture while preserving traditional practices.

The Chief Minister said the Haryana government has launched several farmer-friendly welfare schemes. He cited the INR 2,000 per acre bonus for kharif crops, totalling INR 1,345 crore — a first in the state’s history. The colonial-era abiyana system has been abolished and pending dues worth INR 133 crore have been waived.

Regarding compensation for farmland affected by high-tension electricity lines, he said farmers are now entitled to 200 percent of the market rate for tower area land and 30 percent for land under power lines. Ownership rights have also been granted to tenant farmers.

He urged farmers to switch from water-intensive crops to alternatives and to adopt natural farming methods in light of current environmental needs. Echoing the Prime Minister’s appeal, he encouraged farmers to conserve every drop of water and promote micro-irrigation.

Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said the 15-day campaign aims to boost crop productivity by offering land-related insights, government scheme benefits, and a platform for farmers to voice their concerns.

He noted that agricultural scientists would interact directly with farmers to understand their needs. Recently, 15 lakh farmers in the state received their soil test reports via mobile, offering vital insights into soil health.

He also highlighted the success of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which provides INR 6,000 per year directly into farmers’ accounts, with 19 instalments released so far.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana ensures compensation for crop losses caused by natural disasters, with farmers paying only 1.5–2 percent of the premium while the government bears the rest.

To tackle declining groundwater levels, he said the Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme incentivises farmers with INR 8,000 per acre for cultivating crops other than paddy. The government also supports natural farming by offering INR 30,000 per acre as a subsidy for purchasing indigenous cows and providing aid for compost drum preparation from cow dung.

During the event, CM Nayab Singh Saini released five departmental magazines and officially launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan poster prepared by ICAR by signing it.

(ANI)