Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a nationwide initiative to promote agri-clinics, aiming to provide farmers across India with expert advice and services to bolster their agricultural practices. This ambitious plan, a key component of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,' seeks to establish a comprehensive network of resources, offering tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of farmers throughout the country.
The agri-clinics will serve as hubs for disseminating crucial information and support, addressing various aspects of farming from soil health to crop management and post-harvest technology. Farmers will have access to guidance on optimal cropping practices, effective plant protection measures, and the latest advancements in crop insurance. Furthermore, the clinics will provide essential clinical services for animals, along with expert advice on feed and fodder management, ensuring the holistic well-being of livestock.
A significant aspect of the initiative involves empowering farmers with real-time market information, including price trends for various crops. This knowledge will enable them to make informed decisions about when and where to sell their produce, maximizing their profits and reducing the risk of losses. The agri-clinics will also play a vital role in connecting farmers with relevant government schemes and policies, ensuring they can access the support and resources available to them.
The 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,' under which this initiative falls, is a 15-day campaign led by Shri Chouhan, involving travel to nearly 20 states to engage directly with farmers and scientists. This campaign, which commenced on May 29, 2025, in Puri, Odisha, aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and on-the-ground implementation, bringing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Lab to Land" to fruition. Over 2,170 teams will engage with approximately 1.5 crore farmers across 700 districts and 65,000 villages.
The campaign will involve all 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), all 113 ICAR institutes, officials from state-level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, as well as progressive farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
The Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme, under which many of these clinics operate, was originally launched in 2002 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. It aims at agricultural development, supplementing the efforts of public extension by providing extension and other services to farmers either on a payment basis or free of cost as per the business model. The scheme also aims to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed agricultural graduates, agricultural diploma holders, and graduates in biological sciences with postgraduate degrees in agriculture-related courses.
To ensure the success of the pan-India agri-clinics initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to leverage technology and data analytics. By collecting and analyzing data from the clinics, they can identify regional challenges, tailor solutions, and continuously improve the services offered. This data-driven approach will ensure that the agri-clinics remain relevant and effective in meeting the evolving needs of India's diverse farming communities.
