Patna, Bihar: Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, engaged directly with farmers in Patna, Bihar on Friday. He emphasised that agriculture forms the backbone of India’s economy, with farmers as its soul. With determination, he pledged to do everything possible to ensure the welfare of farmers across the nation.
Chouhan highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s commitment to accelerating progress threefold, as declared from the Red Fort, and reiterated his resolve to prioritise farmers’ welfare. He congratulated the Government of Bihar, including the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the Agriculture Department, for their continuous dedication to improving farming. After observing the stalls displaying makhana, rice, honey, maize, and tea, Chouhan admired the farmers of Bihar and acknowledged their remarkable achievements, even though 91 per cent of them are marginal farmers with small landholdings.
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The agriculture minister also discussed the Prime Minister’s initiative to double farmers’ income, outlining six key strategies. First, he focused on increasing production, which requires high-quality seeds. While production levels are commendable, Chouhan sees even greater potential. He praised the Prime Minister for introducing 109 species of seeds across 65 crops and highlighted innovations such as rice varieties that need 30 per cent less water and millets that mature in 70 days. These climate-friendly seeds promise to maintain high yields even as temperatures rise. He pledged to coordinate with ICAR to ensure these seeds reach Bihar’s farmers.
Next, Chouhan emphasised his commitment to reducing production costs. He pointed to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), which provides significant support to farmers, and the availability of affordable fertiliser loans through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). The third strategy focuses on securing fair prices for agricultural products. He celebrated Bihar’s makhana for its export-quality production, which, when exported, brings greater profits to farmers.
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He also stressed the importance of diversifying agriculture, aligning with the government’s roadmap. Alongside traditional crops, the focus will be on promoting high-value crops. Additionally, he emphasised the potential of food processing, noting Bihar’s exceptional potential. He believes harnessing this talent will position Bihar as a leader in India and elevate India on the global stage.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged for innovative approaches in farming, questioning the continued reliance on chemical fertilisers, which reduce soil fertility and harm health. He lamented the disappearance of earthworms due to excessive manure use, noting their vital role in maintaining soil fertility. Earthworms go 50-60 feet under the ground and come up, this keeps the land fertile. He announced the launch of a natural farming mission which aims to increase production sustainably.
Finally, Chouhan announced plans to organise future programmes directly in the fields, addressing practical challenges faced by farmers. He affirmed that society cannot function without farmers, as they are essential for producing wheat, rice, and other staples. He called for collective efforts to support and uplift the farming community.
