Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will administer the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ pledge to officials of both ministries at the Pusa campus in New Delhi on August 18, as the government prepares an action-oriented roadmap for agriculture and rural development towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
The programme will focus on implementing the priorities outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15, with particular emphasis on strengthening agriculture, expanding the Lakhpati Didi programme and advancing initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.
Progressive farmers, Lakhpati Didis, agricultural exporters and food processors will also participate in the programme.
Chouhan said the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ outlined by the Prime Minister provides an important direction for agriculture and rural India. He said the government would work to translate the vision into action through people-centric programmes, transparent monitoring and effective implementation.
“Our aim is to ensure that farmers and rural women benefit directly and that our efforts contribute to the realisation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Chouhan said, adding that departmental roadmaps would be reviewed and their implementation accelerated.
Focus on agriculture, food processing and global markets
The ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ outlined by PM Modi during his Independence Day address places agriculture and food production, food processing and access to global markets among the important priorities for India’s development.
The Prime Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices amid global crises and uncertainties.
He emphasised the need to create new global markets and opportunities for Indian farmers, particularly in areas such as agriculture and marine products, including seafood.
Self-reliance is another important component of the agenda. PM Modi highlighted measures undertaken over the past decade to strengthen India’s security and self-reliance in essential requirements such as fertilisers and fuel, particularly in the face of global uncertainties.
The August 18 meeting will seek to translate these broad priorities into actionable departmental roadmaps for agriculture and rural development.
Lakhpati Didi target to double
A major focus of the meeting will be the expansion of the Lakhpati Didi programme, which aims to strengthen the economic independence and livelihoods of rural women associated with Self-Help Groups.
According to the government, three crore rural women have already become Lakhpati Didis. PM Modi has now set a new target of increasing this number to six crore.
Chouhan will discuss the roadmap for implementing the programme and achieving the expanded target at the August 18 meeting.
Women associated with Self-Help Groups are being supported through skill development and financial assistance aimed at strengthening their livelihoods and increasing their incomes.
The government views women’s empowerment and economic independence as key components of its rural development approach. PM Modi has also called upon citizens to recognise women’s capabilities and support their greater participation in economic development.
She-Marts to strengthen market access
The government is also focusing on improving market access for enterprises led by rural women.
Initiatives such as She-Marts, included in the Union Budget, are aimed at helping women entrepreneurs find better markets for their products and develop stronger rural enterprises.
Through She-Marts and branding initiatives, products associated with yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts and other rural enterprises will be promoted for wider domestic and global markets.
Strengthening market opportunities for products made by rural women will remain a priority as the government moves into the next phase of women-led rural development.
