Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the creation of 9.76 crore farmer IDs to streamline government scheme benefits distribution. This initiative aims to simplify processes for farmers and enhance transparency in resource allocation. Additionally, a national seed reserve of 1.74 lakh quintals has been established to support farmers during adverse weather conditions.
Chouhan emphasized the importance of agricultural credit and highlighted the average farm loan size of approximately Rs 1.32 lakh in the country. Acknowledging regional disparities, he mentioned lower loan averages in eastern India. Efforts are underway to boost credit flow in states with lower agricultural loan disbursement to facilitate timely investments in agriculture.
The Minister underscored the collaborative efforts of the Centre and state governments to ensure preparedness and coordination for the upcoming Kharif season. He stressed the significance of quality seeds for crop success, noting that adequate seed availability for the Kharif 2026 season has been ensured, with a surplus of around 11% compared to the requirement.
Chouhan also discussed the promotion of natural farming practices and balanced fertilizer usage. Notably, 20 lakh farmers have enrolled in natural farming, covering nearly 8 lakh hectares of land. Integrated farming was highlighted as beneficial for small and marginal farmers, offering a sustainable approach to enhance farm incomes.
