Puri, May 29: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri on Thursday to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath before launching the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a nationwide agricultural innovation campaign.

Upon his arrival near Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate), he was warmly welcomed by the temple administration and senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee.

Accompanying him on this spiritual visit was Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who also paid homage to Lord Jagannath.

Following the darshan, the minister proceeded to Sakhigopal, where he will inaugurate the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at empowering farmers and promoting agricultural advancements across India.

The campaign, which will run from May 29 to June 12, is set to bring key agricultural initiatives of the Central Government to the grassroots level. As part of the program, a tree plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative will be conducted at the Sakhigopal Krishi Vigyan Kendra, where the minister will actively participate in planting saplings.

With the launch of this campaign from the culturally significant city of Puri, the government aims to strengthen agricultural development and ensure a prosperous future for India’s farming community.

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