ICAR-CIBA actively participated in the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025-26 in association with KVKs of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Directorates of Extension TNAU Coimbatore, TANUVAS Chennai and TNJFU Nagapattinam and ICAR-ATARI, Hyderabad from 29th May 2025 to 12th June 2025. The objective of VKSA is to have knowledge synchronization and coordination between ICAR Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and department of agriculture of states to provide technological backstopping for the farmers for the kharif season 2025. ICAR CIBA has deputed about 50 Scientists and Technical Officers for this mega event proposed by Honourable Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India Shri. Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
A convergence meeting cum interaction was conducted on 10th June 2025, in Villiambakkam, Pallur, Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu in which about 379 farmers and other dignitaries from ICAR, New Delhi, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare GOI, New Delhi, ICAR ATARI Hyderabad, TANUVAS Chennai, TNAU Coimbatore, KVKs Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Vellore have participated.
Dr. A K Nayak, DDG- NRM, ICAR and Chief Nodal Officer for VKSA campaign for Zone-X comprising of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in his address expressed that ICAR institutes and KVKs need to work together for solving the field level issues of the farmers. Dr. A. Velmurugan, ADG (SWCE), ICAR, New Delhi opined that farmers need to be open and accept the ground realities for arriving practical solutions for their technology related problems.
Dr Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR- CIBA and State Nodal Officer VKSA campaign for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry stated that CIBA’ products: PlantonPlus and HortiPlus developed from fish waste have been found improving the productivity of paddy and horticultural crops. ICAR-CIBA can extend this technology to KVKs for wider dissemination among the farming and fishers’ community.
Mrs. Deborah Initha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GOI, New Delhi and Dr Naveen Patle, Additional Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare GOI, New Delhi interacted with farmers and noted down the field level constraints being faced by them. Shortage of labour, timely availability of critical farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers, various benefits from Central and State Government Schemes are some of the major issues which they are facing need to be solved.
Dr A.Bhaskaran, Principal Scientist, ICAR ATARI, Hyderabad expressed that the diversified problems of the farmers will be solved on priority basis by the KVKs and Development Departments. Earlier Dr V Appa Rao, Director, Extension Education, TANUVAS Chennai welcomed the gathering and stated that KVKs in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will provide all required technological backstopping to the farming community.
Dr K Amabasankar, HoD, NGBD, ICAR-CIBA, Dr M Kailasam, HoD, FCD, ICAR-CIBA, Dr.D. Deboal Vimala, PS, SSD, Dr. P.Mahalakshmi, PS, SSD, Dr. R Geetha, Sr. Scientist SSD and Dr.C.V.Sairam,PS, SSD coordinated this interaction meeting in Chengalpattu district in coordination with Dr M Siddarth, Head, KVK Kancheepuram (Chengalpattu) and his team.
