India is on track to become the world’s ‘food basket’ with a surge in agricultural production and supportive government policies, as stated by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Chouhan, addressing the Lok Sabha, highlighted the government’s continuous efforts to fortify the agriculture sector and enhance farmers’ earnings. He expressed concerns about the inadequate implementation of central schemes in West Bengal, leading to the exclusion of impoverished farmers from crucial welfare initiatives.
India’s agricultural prowess has garnered international recognition, with the country achieving record foodgrain production, reaching approximately 357 million tonnes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, India has surpassed China to become the largest rice producer, with an output exceeding 150 million tonnes. The country has also witnessed exceptional production levels in crops like wheat, mustard, soybean, and groundnut.
Reflecting on the past, Chouhan recalled India’s reliance on imported wheat in the PL-480 program, a scenario that has drastically transformed today. The minister highlighted the surplus of wheat and rice in Indian warehouses, prompting concerns over storage capacity. India’s agricultural achievements and policies have garnered global acclaim, with a shift towards bolstering pulses, fruits, and vegetable production to enhance nutrition security and augment farmers’ incomes.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to natural farming, Chouhan mentioned the promotion of chemical-free farming practices in extensive riverbank areas like those along the Ganga River. The focus remains on expanding pulses production, which has surged from around 19 million tonnes to 25–26 million tonnes, and enhancing horticulture output to over 369 million tonnes, offering farmers an additional income stream.
