Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) organised a two-day Chintan Shivir (brainstorming camp) for the overall development of Indian agriculture. There was an exchange of ideas, insights and experiences in two days, in which the remarkable progress of the agriculture sector and the challenges of the present and future were discussed.
In the concluding session today, the chief guest of the session, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said that there are mostly small farmers in the country, whose welfare should always be the focus. Making special mention of the Digital Agriculture Mission, he said that it would immensely benefit the farmers.
Union Minister Tomar said that solutions are found only by continuous practices. It is the responsibility of all of us to pave the way in today’s circumstances, not only for our country or our agriculture, but the world also has a lot of expectations from India. The path that India will pave can be the path that paves the way for the world, so we all need to live up to this global expectation. The field of agriculture is very vast, it has different dimensions, and there are many challenges, which have to be solved together. There are more small farmers in the country, so when we think about various things, small farmers should remain at the core.
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On the development of agriculture, the minister said that agriculture should increase, profits in agriculture should increase, production and productivity should increase, and exports should also increase, but at the same time, it is necessary that those working in agriculture should stay in this field and future generations should also be attracted towards agriculture. As technology enters, employment opportunities will also increase in agriculture. A large population of the country is dependent on agriculture for livelihoods, especially farmers and other people living in rural areas, so it should be in our discussion that agricultural technology should be employment-oriented through other facilities.
He said that there are disparities and challenges before agriculture, but when we pay attention to the versatility of agriculture, its comprehensive performance will be revealed to us. In the present circumstances of the agriculture sector, considering the shortcomings of the past and recognising all the reasons, we should move forward. Tomar said that climate change is being discussed today, analysing the challenges that come with it, if we can decide the way to solve them in advance, then there will be convenience ahead. He said that in the future, using technology and digitalisation, our capability should be such that be it the Central or state governments, it should not remain unanswered in any matter of agriculture. We should have answers to every problem, medicine for every disease and should reach every farmer. It is a matter of happiness that along with thinking in this direction, work is also being done by the ministry.
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In the concluding session, agriculture secretary Manoj Ahuja said that any policy of ours should be simple for the farmers and the methodology should be such that our productivity increases further. The aim of the brainstorming camp is ultimately to do good to the farmers for the overall development of the agriculture sector. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR said that the short and long-term goals should be clear and focused and should be completed within the time limit. We should also keep in mind the rapidly changing technology while making any plan.
In the Chintan Shivir, groups of officers including various joint secretaries discussed climate-smart agriculture, private sector cooperation in the agriculture sector, digital technology, increasing the export of agricultural products, facilitating farming through input-linked arrangements, strengthening the extension system and integrated nutrition.
