International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Vivek Pratap Singh, Avanish Kumar Singh, RP Singh and BK Singh

abstract
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) was implemented as a nationwide initiative to strengthen farmer awareness and promote the adoption of improved agricultural technologies prior to the Kharif season through direct farmer–scientist interactions. The present policy-oriented study documents and analyses farmers’ feedback collected during VKSA conducted in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh from 29 May to 12 June 2025, with the objective of identifying key constraints and formulating evidence-based policy recommendations. A total of three programmes were organized daily across selected villages, and structured feedback from 25 farmers per day was obtained through group discussions, field interactions and observations. The collected responses were thematically analysed to identify dominant issues related to policy design, infrastructure, input supply, extension services, marketing and risk management. The results revealed that crop damage caused by stray and wild animals, particularly Neelgai, emerged as the most critical concern, with farmers prioritizing wildlife control over direct financial benefits. Other major issues included the need for farmer-category-specific government schemes, untimely availability of quality inputs, inadequate irrigation and power infrastructure, limited awareness and accessibility of government programmes, and poor price realization for farm produce. Significant knowledge gaps were also observed in scientific crop management, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, and natural farming practices. Dissatisfaction with the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, especially the lack of individual-level compensation during crop failure, was widely reported. The study highlights that farmers’ expectations extend beyond subsidies to systemic reforms addressing human–wildlife conflict, infrastructure strengthening, extension delivery and market integration. The findings underline the importance of incorporating farmer feedback into policy formulation to achieve sustainable, resilient and farmer-centric agricultural development.