The city of Varanasi marked the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh by observing Farmers' Day at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) this Tuesday. The event centered on a major awareness and training program dedicated to the newly launched Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as VB-G-RAM G.
Union Minister Interacts Virtually, Details Farmer Benefits
In a key highlight of the day, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, engaged with attending farmers through a virtual platform. He provided comprehensive information about the direct benefits that farmers can expect under the ambitious VB-G-RAM G scheme. The minister emphasized the government's focus on creating tangible opportunities in rural areas.
Empowering Farmers with Knowledge and Technology
Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Director of IIVR, outlined the core objective of the mission. He stated that VB-G-RAM G is fundamentally designed to empower farmers, rural youth, and women by facilitating sustainable employment, dignified livelihoods, skill development, and ultimately, self-reliance. Following this, Dr. A N Singh, Head of the Vegetable Protection Division, took the stage to educate farmers on the latest agricultural advancements. He shared insights into the improved vegetable crop varieties developed by IIVR, along with modern production technologies and effective pest and disease management strategies.
Widespread Participation Across the District
The observance of Farmers' Day was not confined to the IIVR campus. A parallel event was successfully organized at the Krishi Bhawan Collectorate Farm in Chandpur Chauraha. This gathering was chaired by District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar and witnessed robust participation, with more than 700 farmers associated with the agriculture department taking part. The widespread attendance underscored the local farming community's keen interest in new initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms.
The dual events in Varanasi successfully honored the legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh by directly addressing the contemporary needs of the farmers he championed. By launching and explaining the VB-G-RAM G mission, authorities have taken a concrete step toward linking agricultural development with rural employment and skill enhancement, aiming for a holistic growth model in the region.
