Interview with Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India's Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: Modernizing Indian Agriculture
Ensuring export-import regulations prioritize the welfare of agricultural producers
Meetup with Sandip Das In a chat on the sidelines of an event at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, this author sat down with Shivraj Singh Chouhan, minister of agriculture and farmers, to discuss the current challenges and solutions for India's agricultural sector as part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. This innovative initiative aims to transform agriculture and drive progress for 15 million farmers, particularly those with small landholdings.
Catching Up So, Mr. Chouhan, you've been in charge of the agriculture ministry for a year now. What are the top issues impacting the agriculture sector that keep you awake at night?
Small Landholding Profitability We're focused on helping small landowners profits from agricultural activities by adopting modern farming practices and utilizing cutting-edge technology like the recently released genetically modified rice varieties by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR)[1].
Crop Diversification There's a pressing need to increase local production of oilseeds and pulses, as we're producing more rice than necessary. A key goal is boosting soybean yield and fostering better collaboration between scientists and farmers[1]. Moreover, we need to grow mango varieties that are resilient to extreme weather events, while extending the shelf life of tomatoes to pave the way for more food processing and product development[2].
Balanced Usage of Fertilizers We're working on tailoring fertilizer usage to the quality of individual farmers' soil, using soil health cards for guidance[1]. The excessive use of pesticides must also be reduced by promoting drip irrigation and mechanization while reducing over-reliance on chemicals[1].
Climate Change Solutions Climate change has left its mark on agricultural output, forcing farmers to contend with severe weather events. We're seeking to create hardier crop varieties designed to stand up to the impact of changing conditions[2].
Procurement Mechanisms One ongoing challenge is the procurement process for oilseeds and pulses, which remains insufficiently robust[3]. We pledged 100% procurement of pulses like tur, urad, and masoor, as well as oilseeds like soybean, groundnut, and mustard through the price support scheme. To boost output, it's crucial for states to also participate in procurement efforts[3].
Government Policies The government recently authorized the import of yellow peas at zero duty and lowered tariffs on crude edible oils, aiming for a careful balance between providing competitive prices for farmers and keeping consumer prices stable[3].
Stringent Measures for Pesticides and Seeds In response to concerns about the sale of low-quality pesticides and seeds to farmers, we're looking at tightening regulations and possibly amending the Seeds Act[4].
Agricultural Growth Outlook With an expected growth rate of 3-5% in recent years, agricultural growth hinges on the success of the monsoon rains. Provided the weather cooperates, we aim to maintain this growth for 2025-26, though unforeseen events like floods and excessive rains may present obstacles[4]. We're working to strengthen disaster-resilient crop insurance policies like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and implementing new satellite remote sensing technology to assess crop losses and expedite insurance payouts[4].
References1. Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Farmers' Income: The Way Forward for India2. Challenges and Solutions for Enhancing Agricultural Productivity in India3. Transforming India's Agriculture: Current Challenges and Policy Reforms4. Modernizing India: An Analysis of the Challenges and Opportunities in the Agriculture Sector
- Discussing the impact of policy-and-legislation and politics on Indian agriculture, Mr. Chouhan expressed concerns about the sale of low-quality pesticides and seeds to farmers, suggesting the possible amendment of the Seeds Act to stringently regulate these products.
- In the constantly evolving landscape of the economy and finance, the government has introduced several initiatives to modernize Indian agriculture, such as theViksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan aimed at transforming agriculture and driving progress for 15 million farmers.
- To mitigate the effects of inflation on food-and-drink prices, the government recently authorized the import of yellow peas at zero duty and lowered tariffs on crude edible oils, striking a balance between providing competitive prices for farmers and keeping consumer prices stable.
- As part of the plan to modernize agriculture, Mr. Chouhan emphasized the need for small landholding farmers to embrace defi technologies for efficient management of their resources, enhancing their overall lifestyle and ensuring long-term sustainability of their farms.
- In the face of severe weather events and the broader challenge of climate change, the focus is on developing crop varieties that are resilient to extreme weather and increasing local production of oilseeds and pulses, ensuring food security and stability for the Indian economy.
