VKSA campaign empowers farmers across districts
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 13 2025: Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA), a nationwide agricultural campaign aimed at empowering farmers with scientific knowledge and government support, concluded in Senapati, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Imphal East districts on Thursday.

Organised by the respective Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the campaign ben-efitted over 12,000 farmers across 174 villages through a series of activities and outreach programmes held from May 29 .

In Senapati and Kangpokpi districts, the VKSA campaign was conducted under the leadership of KVK, Senapati, in collaboration with the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Manipur Centre, and line departments.

VKSA campaign empowers farmers across districts

Experts from Green Biotech Eco Solutions also participated in the campaign, during which organic inputs were distributed to farmers.

The programme covered 102 villages and reached 6,734 farmers.

Head of KVK, Senapati and senior scientist Dr N Jyotsna said that the VKSA campaign is part of a national effort to prepare farmers for the current Kharif season by equipping them with technical know-how and practical solutions.

She thanked all participating institutions, departments, self-help groups and farmers for their active involvement.

In Imphal East, the campaign covered 72 villages and 5,531 farmers.

The series of events saw the active participation of state nodal officer Dr Ch Basuda Devi, district nodal officer Dr Y Prabhabati Devi, representatives of All Manipur Kishan Sangha, sci-entists from CAU and ICAR, subject matter specialists, and officials from various state departments.

Community leaders including Zilla Parishad members, village chairpersons, FPO chairmen and club secretaries also extended support.

Head of KVK Imphal East and senior scientist Dr Y Prabhabati Devi spoke on the importance of educating farmers about government schemes and modern techniques for sustainable livelihood and increased productivity.

The campaign witnessed renewed commitment from stakeholders to continue supporting Manipur's farming communities through integrated, science-led development.

The 15-day nationwide campaign launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, also concluded on Thursday in Churachandpur district.

Organised by the ICAR-KVK, Churachandpur, the campaign was conducted under the guidance of Dr Manoj Kumar Pandey, senior scientist and head, who also serves as the district nodal officer for VKSA.

Three teams comprising scientists from ICAR Manipur Centre, subject matter specialists, programme assistants, and farm managers from KVK Churachandpur, as well as staff from the District Agriculture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry departments, led the outreach effort.

By the campaign's conclusion, the teams had reached 97 per cent of the district's farmers and covered all the target villages.

In total, 108 villages and 13,969 farmers - including 7,305 men and 6,664 women - were engaged through various awareness and educational activities.

The campaign was aimed at promoting direct interaction between farmers and agricultural scientists, strengthen sustainable livelihoods and advance agricultural development to transform Indian agriculture by bringing together scientific expertise and farmers' experience.

It involved a wide range of activities such as expert lectures, on-the-spot plant disease diagnosis and treatment, livestock vaccination drives, and method demonstrations on improved agricultural practices.

Farmers were enlightened about multiple central schemes such as Soil Health Card, Mobile Plant Health Clinic, PM-KISAN, PMFBY, PMMSY, RKVY, SMAM, National Livestock Mission, PKVY, and natural and organic farming.

Posters and extension literature in local languages were also distributed to help farmers adopt modern and sustainable techniques.

Agricultural inputs including paddy seeds, vegetable seeds and organic composts were distributed to boost farm productivity.

In addition, awareness on innovative practices such as vermicom-posting, oyster mushroom cultivation and integrated fish farming methods were provided.