Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, chaired a review meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss various agricultural issues. The meeting covered key topics including the progress of Rabi crop sowing, weather conditions, pest monitoring through the National Pest Surveillance System, agricultural product marketing, and imports-exports.
Shri Chauhan announced that he would personally conduct weekly meetings on agricultural matters and hold periodic discussions with state agriculture ministers. He instructed officials to maintain continuous contact with state governments, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in solving ground-level problems faced by farmers.
As of January 17, 2025, Rabi crops have been sown in a total area of 640 lakh hectares, which is an increase of 2.51 lakh hectares compared to last year's 637.49 lakh hectares. The overall crop area and condition of crops are better than last year. The sowing progress of Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP) crops is on track, with a higher area sown this year compared to the previous one.
Fluctuations in Market Prices: According to weekly market data, the prices of Wheat (0.46%), Mustard (0.14%), and Soybean (0.25%) have risen, while prices of Arhar (1.22%), Rice (1.20%), Chickpea (0.67%), Potato (6.34%), and Tomato (6.79%) have dropped.
Above MSP Prices: Currently, Wheat, Rice, Chickpea, Mustard, and Sesame are being sold at prices higher than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the markets.
Monitoring Progress of Rabi Crops: The Union Minister has directed officials to ensure the effective implementation of agricultural schemes and programs. He stressed the need for close collaboration with state governments to address the ground-level issues faced by farmers. Additionally, continuous monitoring of Rabi crop progress and market prices was emphasized to ensure timely interventions.
