Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, called on states to streamline bureaucratic processes and prioritize farmer-focused governance. Highlighting a record food-grain production of around 376.563 million tonnes in India, Chouhan emphasized the need for visible governance impact in people’s lives, not just on paper. Speaking at the National Agriculture Conference, he lauded India’s global leadership in rice production and significant progress in wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseeds output.
Chouhan stressed that rules should serve farmers’ convenience, not the other way around. Engaging with state agriculture ministers, officials, scientists, and farmers, he advocated for holistic agricultural development through time-bound, result-oriented, and farmer-centric approaches. The conference, attended by state ministers, aimed to foster a collaborative ‘Team India’ platform for agricultural advancement.
Emphasizing the importance of food security, income enhancement for farmers, and nutritional well-being, Chouhan urged states to oversee the effective implementation of key agricultural missions. He also urged scientists to conduct practical, demand-driven research aligned with farmers’ requirements, particularly focusing on developing crop varieties suitable for different regions. Chouhan highlighted the need for active utilization of Soil Health Cards to help farmers address nutrient deficiencies and optimize fertilizer use at the ground level.
