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India, December 24, 2024 – Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, declared on Monday that the government is fully committed to making India the food basket of the world. Speaking at the Platinum Jubilee Conference of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (AERC) in Pune, Chouhan emphasized the significant role of the agriculture sector in India’s economy, contributing 18% to the country’s GDP.
“The world has witnessed the strength of India’s agriculture sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chouhan remarked. He highlighted the resilience and growth of the sector, positioning India as a leader in global agriculture.
A key focus of Chouhan’s address was the government’s commitment to sustainable and natural farming practices. He stressed the importance of reducing the indiscriminate use of pesticides and moving towards eco-friendly, organic farming techniques. This shift, he explained, would enhance the value of India’s agricultural production and support long-term sustainability.
The Minister also outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector. Notably, he mentioned efforts to increase the storage capacity for farmers and the introduction of a new scheme to help farmers transport their products to distant markets. In collaboration with both state and central governments, plans are underway to facilitate the transportation of agricultural goods across various states and markets.
In addition to infrastructure development, Chouhan emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between research and farming practices. He urged that the work of researchers and scientists should not remain confined to labs but should be translated into actionable strategies for farmers on the ground.
Highlighting government initiatives, Chouhan shared that the Centre has launched the Modern Krishi Choupal program on the DD Kisan Channel. This platform brings together farmers, scientists, and researchers to discuss challenges and explore new opportunities in agriculture.
Chouhan also stressed the importance of making agricultural information accessible to all farmers, irrespective of language barriers. He called for agricultural knowledge to be disseminated in multiple regional languages to ensure greater accessibility and understanding for farmers across India.
Further, Chouhan noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the ambitious river linking project on December 25. This initiative aims to address water scarcity issues by linking rivers, thereby benefiting both flood-prone and drought-affected areas across the country. The river linking project is expected to significantly improve water distribution and mitigate the impact of erratic rainfall.
Additionally, the Union Minister discussed the government’s efforts to ease credit access for farmers. He pointed to the Kisan Credit Card scheme, which allows farmers to access immediate funds at low-interest rates, reducing their reliance on moneylenders.
Chouhan concluded by underscoring the government’s substantial increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural products between 2014 and 2024. This, he noted, has provided substantial financial relief to farmers and improved their livelihoods.
As India moves forward with these initiatives, the government’s vision to transform the country into a global food leader continues to gain momentum, promising a prosperous future for Indian farmers and the agricultural sector.
