In an initiative aimed at fostering direct communication with farmers, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, began a series of dialogues with farmers and their organizations in Delhi today. Emphasizing the importance of agriculture to India's economy, Chouhan remarked, "Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy and farmers are its soul." He announced holding regular meetings with farmers every Tuesday to better understand their concerns and work on solutions.
Chouhan highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to improve the agricultural sector, noting that seven major schemes have been approved in the first 100 days of Prime Minister Modi’s third term. These initiatives, with a budget of Rs 15,000 crore, aim to modernize agriculture through technological advancements, including the Digital Agriculture Mission. Additionally, Rs 2817 crore will be allocated to these reforms.
"During today's dialogue, the minister engaged with around 50 farmer leaders, who raised issues such as crop prices, the crop insurance scheme, and the problem of stray animals. Chouhan assured the farmers that these concerns would be taken seriously, with the government working to implement feasible solutions," according to the Agriculture Ministry press release.
He also mentioned that recent decisions, such as increasing the import duty on palm oil and reducing export duties on onions, have been well-received by farmers. The government remains focused on addressing issues related to crop management, including stubble management, with efforts underway to transform stubble into a valuable resource. Chouhan concluded by stating that these dialogues will continue regularly, with the aim of resolving farmers' problems and ensuring their welfare.