Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday called for a coordinated effort among farmers, scientists, government officials, food processors, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and rural women to translate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ vision into action and make Indian agriculture prosperous, self-reliant and globally competitive.
Addressing a commitment programme organised for departments under the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Pusa, Chouhan said agriculture and food processing would be important pillars in the effort to build a developed India.
The Minister administered a collective pledge to officials, employees, scientists, farmers, Lakhpati Didis, food processors, exporters and FPO representatives to contribute towards building a developed, prosperous, self-reliant and empowered India. Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary and Dr Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, along with the Secretaries of the four departments, were also present.
Focus on farm-to-global-market connectivity
Chouhan said increasing agricultural production alone would not be sufficient and stressed the need to focus on quality, safety, processing, packaging and compliance with global standards.
He said Indian farmers produce a wide range of commodities, including spices, fruits, flowers and traditional food products, and that improving their quality and connecting them with processing, branding and export networks could substantially increase farm incomes.
“Farm to global market” should become a central focus of agricultural development, he said, adding that farmers, food processors and exporters must work together as interconnected parts of the same value chain.
He also highlighted growing demand for products produced through natural, organic and chemical-free farming and called for greater access to technical guidance, market intelligence and modern processing facilities for farmers.
State and district-level agricultural roadmaps
The Minister called for separate agricultural roadmaps for every state and district in addition to a national-level roadmap.
He said agricultural strategies should take into account local variations in climate, soil, water availability and cropping patterns. Demand assessments in domestic and international markets should guide farmers on the crops and products with greater potential.
The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, state governments and other institutions should work together to take new technologies to farmers, he said.
Chouhan also stressed greater adoption of mechanisation, artificial intelligence, improved seeds and modern agricultural practices to raise productivity.
Higher production, lower costs and better returns
The Minister said the government’s priorities in agriculture include increasing production, reducing cultivation costs, improving quality and ensuring remunerative prices.
Farmers should receive timely information on weather, markets and production, while greater attention should be given to natural farming, organic farming, irrigation, water conservation, crop diversification and other agriculture-based income opportunities.
He also called for integrated farming systems and locally suitable models to help diversify farmers’ incomes.
Chouhan said the progress made in agriculture should be viewed as a milestone rather than the final destination, as new targets have been set under the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Three crore Lakhpati Didis target achieved
Highlighting the role of rural women in economic development, Chouhan said the target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis had been achieved and that the government was now committed to creating six crore Lakhpati Didis.
He said Self-Help Group members would be supported through skill development, financial assistance, entrepreneurship and better market access. Initiatives such as ‘She-Marts’ and branding would help take products made by rural women – including handicrafts, food products, Ayurvedic products and traditional goods – to markets within India and abroad.
“Women’s empowerment” should not be viewed merely as an increase in individual incomes, he said, stressing that economically empowered women strengthen families, villages and the wider rural economy.
Development must be visible in villages
Chouhan said the goal of a developed India could not be achieved without developing rural areas.
He called for greater attention to pucca houses, roads, water conservation, employment, livelihoods, women’s empowerment and agriculture-based activities and stressed that the impact of government schemes must be visible at the village and beneficiary level.
Officials and employees, he said, should regularly visit the field instead of relying only on office-based assessments. Better coordination between government data and ground realities was also necessary.
The Minister also emphasised faster implementation of programmes related to water security, river rejuvenation, land-resource conservation and rural livelihoods.
Chouhan gives four mantras for officials
Urging officials and employees to remain committed to their responsibilities, Chouhan outlined four principles for effective work: “Paanv mein chakkar, munh mein shakkar, seene mein aag aur maathe par barf.”
He explained that “paanv mein chakkar” means regularly visiting the field and reviewing implementation; “munh mein shakkar” refers to maintaining a cordial and respectful approach towards colleagues and citizens; “seene mein aag” represents determination and passion; and “maathe par barf” signifies patience, composure and balance in difficult circumstances.
He urged officials not to be discouraged by setbacks and to continue working with persistence and patience.
Farmers, scientists and industry to work together
Chouhan said closer coordination among farmers, scientists, officials, processors, exporters, FPOs and Self-Help Groups was essential to strengthening the agricultural value chain.
Agricultural research institutions and Krishi Vigyan Kendras should focus on solutions based on farmers’ actual requirements, while stronger connections between farms and markets could help increase farmers’ incomes and provide consumers with quality products.
During the programme, farmers, Lakhpati Didis, exporters and FPO representatives shared their experiences and suggestions. Lalita spoke about women’s empowerment and the Lakhpati Didi initiative, while Vinod Kumar Saini discussed issues related to agricultural production, technology and markets. Mukesh Jain shared suggestions on processing and marketing, and Praful Goswami spoke about connecting FPOs and farmers with markets.
Four departments outline priorities
Secretaries of the four departments also presented their respective roadmaps.
Dr Mangilal Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR, outlined priorities relating to agricultural research, technology and scientific innovation.
Atish Chandra, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, discussed agricultural production, farmers’ incomes and quality improvement.
Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Department of Rural Development, highlighted the Lakhpati Didi initiative, rural livelihoods and the development of prosperous villages.
Narendra Bhushan, Secretary, Department of Land Resources, spoke about land conservation, water management and improved utilisation of natural resources.
At the end of the programme, Chouhan administered a collective pledge calling on participants to work towards the objectives of ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’, including strengthening agriculture, expanding food processing, improving farmers’ incomes, taking Indian agricultural products to global markets and empowering rural women.
He said fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India would require the collective resolve, capability and sustained efforts of everyone associated with agriculture and rural development.
