New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) At the initiative of Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a ‘Sankalp’ (pledge) programme was organised on Tuesday at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Delhi’s Pusa, with a focus on translating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Shakti ki Saptadhara’ (Seven Streams of Strength) into concrete action on the ground.
The programme was aimed at giving practical momentum to the roadmap for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day.
The event, titled ‘New Direction for Agriculture and Rural Development through Shakti ki Saptadhara’, brought together officials, staff, scientists, farmers, ‘Lakhpati Didis’, food processors, exporters and representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
During the programme, Union Minister Chouhan administered a pledge to those present to work towards building a “developed, prosperous, self-reliant and empowered India” and to collectively contribute to the transformation of agriculture and rural development.
Addressing the gathering, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had provided a clear roadmap for achieving the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ through the ‘Shakti ki Saptadhara’, with agriculture and food processing forming one of its important streams.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid out a clear path for building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ through the ‘Shakti ki Saptadhara’. Agriculture and food processing constitute a vital stream of this ‘Saptadhara’. The country must focus not only on increasing agricultural production but also on ensuring quality, safety, and adherence to global standards so that Indian farmers’ produce can establish a strong identity in the global market,” the Union Minister added.
He stressed that the programme was not simply a formal gathering but represented a collective commitment by everyone associated with agriculture and rural development to work towards the larger national goal.
“Today’s programme was not merely a formal event but a collective pledge by the entire family associated with agriculture and rural development. Farmers, scientists, officials, staff, processors, exporters, women from self-help groups, and FPOs are all equal partners in this family. Every individual’s responsibility is crucial, and everyone must work together to realise the Prime Minister’s vision,” he said.
The Union Agriculture Minister also referred to Prime Minister Modi’s call for placing national interest above personal interests and making duty the defining identity of every citizen.
He said that serving farmers, the poor, mothers and sisters, and rural communities was “akin to worshipping ‘Bharat Mata'”.
Union Minister Chouhan added that connecting Indian agriculture with international markets had become an urgent requirement and emphasised that the country must make greater efforts to ensure that farmers benefit from growing global demand.
“Farmers across the country produce a wide variety of crops, including chillies, spices, fruits, flowers, traditional food products, and various other agricultural commodities. By improving the quality of these products, they can be tailored to meet the demands of global markets. Farmers’ incomes could be significantly boosted through food processing, packaging, branding, and exports. Farmers, processors, and exporters are interconnected; therefore, there is a need to bring them all onto a single platform to work in a coordinated manner,” he said.
He also added that in addition to a comprehensive national strategy, separate agricultural roadmaps should be prepared for every state and district, keeping their individual requirements and potential in mind.
He also stressed the importance of carrying out scientific assessments of market demand, both within India and internationally, for different crops and agricultural products.
According to Union Minister Chouhan, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), state governments and other institutions must work together to ensure that new technologies and scientific innovations reach farmers and are effectively adopted in the agricultural sector.
He also highlighted the importance of the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative in strengthening rural livelihoods and women’s economic participation.
“The target of empowering three crore rural women as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ has already been achieved. The Prime Minister has now set a new target of creating six crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’. Creating three crore additional ‘Lakhpati Didis’ would bring about a transformative change in the rural economy,” he said.
He added that women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are being supported through skill development, financial assistance, market access and opportunities for entrepreneurship, enabling them to become more financially independent.
“Making rural women self-reliant is a crucial prerequisite for building a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Union Minister Chouhan said.
He also stressed that a ‘Viksit Bharat’ cannot be achieved without ensuring the development of villages.
He said the Union government was therefore accelerating various initiatives focused on permanent housing, roads, water conservation, employment, livelihoods, women’s empowerment and agriculture-based economic activities in rural areas.
While delivering a message on dedication and commitment towards work, Union Minister Chouhan outlined four mantras that he said were essential for achieving success: ‘paanv mein chakkar’ (feet in motion), ‘muh mein shakkar’ (sweetness in speech), ‘seene mein aag’ (fire in the heart), and ‘mathe par barf’ (coolness on the forehead).
Explaining the four principles, Union Minister Chouhan said that ‘paanv mein chakkar’ meant remaining active, staying connected with the field and visiting the ground whenever necessary to assess the progress of work.
‘Muh mein shakkar’, he noted, meant maintaining cordial relations with colleagues and members of the public while building a strong and united team.
Similarly, ‘seene mein aag’ represents the passion, determination and enthusiasm required to achieve a goal, while ‘mathe par barf’ signifies the ability to remain patient, composed and balanced while dealing with difficult situations and challenges.
Union Minister Chouhan stressed that all stakeholders involved in agriculture and rural development, including farmers, scientists, government officials, staff, processors, exporters, FPOs and SHGs, must work together to fulfil the national resolve of creating a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
–IANS
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