New era in agriculture, Government determined efforts to make India a global food grain store

The agriculture sector contributes 18% to the nation’s GDP, proving its resilience during challenging times like the Covid pandemic. Recognizing its importance, the central government is consistently working to strengthen this vital sector further.

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming India into the global food basket. Addressing the Platinum Jubilee Conference of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (AERC) in Pune, he highlighted the need for agricultural research to move beyond laboratories and reach the farmers directly.

• Focus on Natural Farming: Shri Chouhan called for reducing the indiscriminate use of pesticides, emphasizing the need to adopt natural farming practices. He stated that this shift would enhance the quality of agricultural produce and add value to the sector.
• Enhancing Storage and Transportation: The government is actively working to increase farmers' storage capacity. Shri Chouhan revealed plans for a new initiative to transport agricultural products to distant markets, ensuring farmers get better value for their produce.

Collaboration between Scientists and Farmers:

The Minister stressed the importance of collaboration between agricultural scientists and farmers to address challenges. To facilitate this, the central government has launched the ‘Modern Krishi Choupal’ program on the DD Kisan Channel. This platform enables farmers, researchers, and scientists to discuss issues and explore opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Regional Language Accessibility:

Shri Chouhan underlined the necessity of making agricultural information available in India’s regional languages, bridging the gap between research labs and farmland. This step would ensure that farmers across the country can access vital information without language barriers.

River Linking Project Announcement: The Minister announced that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi would launch the River Linking Project on December 25, 2024. This initiative aims to address flood and drought conditions by connecting regions with excess rainfall to water-scarce areas, benefiting farmers nationwide. Shri Chouhan stressed the importance of developing water-efficient irrigation technologies to reduce costs and maximize productivity.

Doubling Minimum Support Price (MSP): Highlighting the government’s achievements, Shri Chouhan noted that from 2014 to 2024, MSPs for many crops have doubled, providing substantial relief to farmers. Additionally, schemes like the Kisan Credit Card have been instrumental in offering immediate financial support, reducing dependency on moneylenders.

Empowering Farmers for Self-Reliance: Shri Chouhan concluded by advocating for policies that prioritize domestic production over imports, ensuring that farmers reap maximum benefits while contributing to India’s agricultural self-reliance. With these strategic initiatives, the government is paving the way for a robust agricultural framework, empowering farmers and positioning India as a leader in the global agricultural domain.