Agricultural workers express gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi, endorsing the government's hardline approach in agricultural trade to safeguard their welfare
A large gathering of farmer leaders and cultivators from across India recently met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Pusa Campus, New Delhi, to discuss the government's recent measures aimed at strengthening self-reliance in agriculture and rural sectors.
The meeting reflected strong solidarity among farmers and government leaders in protecting India's agricultural sector. Kuldeep Singh Bajidpur of Punjab lauded ongoing welfare initiatives, while Dharmendra Choudhary, National President of Indian Farmer Chaudhary Charan Singh Organisation, called the government's recent measures historic.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described farmers as the "provider and giver of life." He highlighted recent progress under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and announced that the government will soon introduce strict laws to curb the production of fake fertilisers and pesticides.
The government's recent measures focus extensively on increasing domestic production, promoting sustainable practices, and protecting farmer interests amid global trade challenges. One such initiative is the Mission for Aatmanirbharata in Pulses and Seeds, which targets a 20% increase in pulse production by developing and distributing high-yielding, climate-resilient seed varieties, expanding storage and processing infrastructure, and stabilizing prices via minimum support prices and direct procurement.
To shield farmers from global market volatility and high U.S. tariffs, India emphasizes high import tariffs (up to 700%) and promotes crop diversification and climate-resilient seeds, particularly targeting 100 low-productivity districts under the Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for boosting yields and resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced farmer protection by committing to stand firm against policies that threaten farmer interests, advocating for self-reliance in essential agricultural inputs like fertilizers, and emphasizing local manufacturing to achieve broad economic self-sufficiency.
The government launched the PM-PRANAM Scheme to reduce chemical fertilizer use by promoting organic alternatives and balanced nutrition, supported by the Soil Health Card Scheme which educates farmers on soil needs through regular testing. These efforts aim to improve soil health and sustainability in farming practices.
A new initiative focuses on 100 underperforming agricultural districts to enhance productivity through diversification, improved irrigation and storage infrastructure, better credit access, and livestock sector support, aiming to equalize regional disparities and boost food security and exports.
Virendra Lohan of Chhattisgarh Youth Progressive Farmers' Association welcomed the government's move to keep American companies out of India's agriculture and dairy sectors. He stated that this decision protects the soul of the nation and ensures farmers' autonomy.
Several leaders, including Dharmendra Malik and Kirpa Singh Natthuwala from Punjab, expressed strong support for the government's stance. They urged the government to remain firm against foreign pressure.
The representatives from leading farmer organisations continued to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government's recent measures, with Chouhan's 'Nation First' approach being particularly noted.
Kuldeep Singh Bajidpur hopes for more steps that empower farmers to depend less on foreign markets, as the meeting concluded with a unified resolve to support the government's initiatives for self-reliance in agriculture and rural India.
Policy and legislation discussions centered around the government's recent measures for self-reliance in agriculture and rural sectors were prevalent in the meeting's political discourse. Additionally, the general news revolves around the historic importance of these measures and their implications for farmer interests and global trade challenges.
