Bhubaneswar, May 29 (Reporter) Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Thursday launched a novel fish vaccine – “CIFA Argu VAX–I.” The vaccine was launched during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025) at the ICAR–Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Kausalyaganga here. Developed by ICAR-CIFA, this vaccine targets parasitic infections in fish, representing a significant breakthrough in fish health management and helping to reduce economic losses in aquaculture. Addressing over 600 farmers and women from Self Help Groups at a scientist–farmer interaction session, Chouhan emphasized that fisheries are an integral pillar of India’s food security and a viable pathway for livelihood development. He stressed that all technologies developed by ICAR-CIFA must effectively reach farmers to enhance their income and to build a developed, resilient fisheries sector. The Union Minister also highlighted the VKSA-2025 campaign’s ambitious goal of reaching over 1.5 crore farmers across India through technology dissemination, capacity building, and grassroots engagement. The campaign, he said, aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant and sustainable India and aims to promote the widespread adoption of advanced agricultural and fisheries technologies across the nation. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo stated that the VKSA campaign is a timely intervention that will accelerate Odisha’s agricultural transformation and empower farmers by improving access to innovation, infrastructure, and institutional support. Director General of ICAR, Dr. M. L. Jat, described VKSA-2025 as a transformational pre-Kharif campaign that bridges cutting-edge scientific research with farmers’ real-world needs. He called upon all stakeholders to unite in realizing the vision of Viksit Krishi for a Viksit Bharat, ensuring prosperity and resilience in Indian agriculture. The VKSA-2025 campaign will run nationwide from May 29 to June 12, 2025, engaging farmers across all districts in a mission to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agricultural sector...////...