Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Dialogue Series with Farmers for Agricultural Development

Chouhan noted that many issues are not fully understood by officials while sitting in offices, making direct communication with farmers essential for problem-solving.

Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, initiated a series of dialogues with farmers and farmer organizations in Delhi today. Chouhan emphasized the crucial role of agriculture in India, describing it as the backbone of the economy, with farmers as its soul. He stressed that serving farmers is akin to worshipping God and announced that he would meet with farmers or farmer organizations every Tuesday to better understand and address their challenges.

Chouhan noted that many issues are not fully understood by officials while sitting in offices, making direct communication with farmers essential for problem-solving. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) also participated in the dialogue.

The Union Minister highlighted ongoing efforts under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership to promote the overall development of the agricultural sector. Over the past decade, several agriculture-related schemes have been launched, and this trend continues in the current administration. In the first 100 days of the Modi government’s third term, seven major schemes worth Rs 15,000 crore have been approved, benefiting farmers nationwide. Among these, Rs 2,817 crore has been allocated for the Digital Agriculture Mission, which aims to drive agricultural reforms through technology.

During the discussions with farmer leaders, Chouhan received various suggestions related to crop prices, crop insurance, and the challenges posed by stray animals. Many farmers also raised concerns about decisions that should be made when new crops arrive. Chouhan assured that all suggestions would be reviewed and discussed with officials to develop effective solutions.

Chouhan further highlighted some recent decisions that were well-received by farmers, such as the increase in import duty on palm oil to 27.5%, the removal of the minimum export price on Basmati rice, and the reduction of the export duty on onions from 40% to 20%. Additionally, the government will continue purchasing pulses like tur, urad, and masoor.

The minister reiterated his commitment to the ongoing dialogue, stating that the discussions had been productive and had won the farmers' trust. He pledged to continue these interactions, ensuring that the government remains responsive to farmers' needs and concerns.

Regarding stubble management, Chouhan mentioned that significant research and the development of new machines had been undertaken, providing alternatives to burning stubble. He emphasized that stubble could be turned into wealth, and efforts would be made to raise awareness among farmers about its better utilization.

The dialogue with farmers is expected to continue as a key initiative in addressing agricultural challenges and supporting the upliftment of farmers across the country. 4o