Itanagar: The ambitious 15-day nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) campaign, a significant stride towards modernising Indian agriculture, drew to a successful close on June 13th in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district.
The initiative, meticulously designed for scientific outreach, sustainable farming practices, and direct farmer empowerment, spanned across 81 villages, directly enriching the knowledge and resources of 6,942 farmers.
The campaign’s seamless execution in both Upper Siang and Siang districts was spearheaded by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Geku, Upper Siang, operating under the insightful guidance of the Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and ICAR-ATARI, Zone-VI, Guwahati. Their collaborative efforts ensured the widespread reach and efficacy of the programme.
A pivotal moment in the Upper Siang leg of the campaign was the flagging off of the VKSA Krishi Rath by the esteemed Deputy Commissioner, Shri Talo Jerang. The event was graced by the presence of ZPC Shri Lumgeng Litin, underscoring the local administration’s commitment to agricultural advancement. In Siang district, the Rath’s journey commenced with its flagging off by HMLA Shri Talem Taboh, representing the 32-Rumgong constituency, alongside Deputy Commissioner Shri P.N. Thungon. This mobile outreach unit proved instrumental in traversing the rugged terrain, effectively delivering crucial agricultural information, cutting-edge technologies, and high-quality seeds to even the most remote hamlets.
The VKSA’s core focus revolved around equipping farmers with climate-resilient, region-specific, and organic farming technologies, meticulously tailored to the unique ecological profile and cherished traditional practices of the district. Beyond technological dissemination, the campaign also served as a vital platform to highlight various government schemes available through the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries Science. A tangible benefit for many farmers was the distribution of Soil Health Cards and other essential agricultural inputs, directly contributing to more informed and sustainable farming.
A hallmark of the VKSA campaign was its emphasis on two-way learning. While farmers received invaluable hands-on training, researchers gained profound insights from the ingenious innovations developed by the local farming community. Amongst the notable local innovations showcased were the innovative fish-cum-paddy culture practiced at Simong village, the practical bamboo-made hand weeder cum digger (known as EIK), the resourceful use of bottle gourd pots (GIRI) for seed storage and water transport, and the efficacy of a traditional pig fat remedy (Ek Yegop) in treating pig skin ailments.
The resounding success of this extensive campaign is a testament to the collective and unwavering efforts of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Geku, Upper Siang, in conjunction with the dedicated departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary, Fisheries, ArSLM, and CAU, Pasighat. Their tireless work, often battling harsh weather conditions, navigating difficult terrains, and overcoming persistent connectivity issues, truly brought the vision of Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan to fruition, fostering a brighter future for the farmers of Arunachal Pradesh.
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