Shivraj Singh Chouhan performs ‘bhumi pujan’ of KVK Agricultural Science Centre

Shivraj Singh Chouhan yesterday laid the foundation stone of a unique ‘school for farmers’ in Berkhedi Jetu of Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and presented a big resolve to transform farming. Instead of a formal gathering and long welcome speeches, the focus remained directly on fields and farmers in the presence of Shri Shivraj Singh, other public representatives and scientists. Along with the foundation stone laying of the model Agricultural Science Centre, a scientific farming roadmap for Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore and Dewas, the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ and a complete chain of modern machinery and innovation were launched. Speaking in simple, conversational language with farmer brothers and sisters, ‘Shivraj Sir’ clearly said that this is not a political gathering but a class on farming, where even a small farmer with two and a half acres of land is given the resolve to earn a respectable livelihood through integrated farming, balanced fertilisers, good soil and good technology. This initiative aims to bring real change in the lives of farmers by providing practical knowledge and modern tools.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan made it clear right at the beginning that this programme is not for gathering crowds or giving speeches but for training farmers. He also told the media that the farmers who have come here have not been brought in buses or vehicles; those who want to learn have come on their own, therefore instead of formal stage formalities, there will be a direct class. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Chouhan said that every farmer attending the event should be considered a student, for whom scientists will present their points in limited words and then take them directly to the fields to demonstrate machines and new technologies. This approach ensures that learning is practical and directly applicable in the fields.

This Agricultural Science Centre being built in Berkhedi Jetu will be the country’s model Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) on 49 acres of land, where demonstration plots of modern farming will start from this Kharif season itself. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan made it clear that work on the fields will begin immediately without waiting for the building construction – farmers will be taught by showing them with their own eyes, not just by telling. Through this KVK, research from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)’s 113 institutions and more than 1,700 KVK institutions will be taken directly to the farmers of the Vidisha region through mobile, demos and training. This live laboratory will serve as a centre of excellence for scientific farming practices in the region.