Farmers Must Get a Minimum Assurance of Price – Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Under this campaign, running from May 29 to June 12, over two thousand teams of scientists will directly engage with farmers in villages. The goal is to reach over 1.5 crore farmers nationwide. Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself will travel to 20 states to interact directly with farmers, laying the groundwork for 'Developed Agriculture for a Developed India.'

On June 2, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the Piprakothi Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Bihar's East Champaran district, where he had an exclusive interaction with Harvir Singh, Editor-in-Chief of Rural Voice. Here are the key excerpts:

Q: This campaign represents a unique, large-scale dialogue involving millions of farmers, the government, and scientists nationwide. What was your vision behind launching such an extensive initiative?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: We have a rich legacy, intelligent scientists, talent, and they are doing research. On the other side, we have hardworking farmers. But I felt there was a gap: the research happening in laboratories isn't reaching the fields in real-time. Until ministers, scientists, and the agriculture department go to the fields and meet farmers, and instead just keep holding meetings in Krishi Bhawan, they won't truly understand the real problems. We need to increase production, reduce costs, ensure fair prices, and feed the nation. We also need to make farming a profitable business for farmers. I felt that not only should I go out, but the entire team should as well.

This isn't just about providing technical information; it's an initiative to connect directly with farmers and empower them with new technologies. State governments will play a crucial role in making this mission a reality.

Q: You're travelling across the country as part of this campaign. What kind of impact are you seeing?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: If scientists go to the farmers' fields, they'll provide accurate information and also receive valuable input. For instance, yesterday I went to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. A sugarcane farmer there told me about a sugarcane variety, CO 0238, which had been very beneficial, but is now severely affected by disease. It has Red Rot disease, causing significant losses to farmers. Farmers, without proper understanding, are applying excessive pesticides, which isn't helping. The scientists then explained to them what pesticides to use and how.

Q: There's also much discussion about MSP (Minimum Support Price) – that it should increase and be guaranteed. What's your view on this?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Both aspects are important. We have to provide farmers with a minimum assurance, but that alone isn't the complete solution. We need to focus on agricultural diversification, increasing production, reducing costs, and inter-cropping. Through inter-cropping, you can grow multiple things. For example, a farmer from Haryana told me he's earning a net profit of three lakh rupees from one acre. From seven acres, he earned twenty-one lakh in six months because he's not growing just one crop; he's growing 17 crops. This is the kind of thing we should be doing.

I'm also sharing stories of such progressive farmers and understanding their problems, so that other farmers can draw inspiration, and we can also try to resolve the difficulties they face.

Q: Farmers' land holdings are shrinking, but we also need to increase production. How will we tackle this challenge?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: If we all work together, we will find solutions. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, we've already set a record in food grain production. Certainly, production will increase, and so will income. Here in Bihar, litchi farmers face the problem of their produce spoiling within 48 hours. We need to increase the shelf life of litchi. For this, I've asked scientists to conduct research that can extend litchi's shelf life. I suggested forming a team – 'One Nation, One Team' – comprising scientists from ICAR, state agricultural universities, KVKs, central and state agriculture departments, and the Agriculture Minister himself.

Rural Voice: We've achieved self-sufficiency in food grains, and our agricultural exports have also grown. Last year, India exported over $12 billion worth of rice. However, we're still importing large quantities of pulses and oilseeds. Last year, we imported $38 billion worth of food products. How will we achieve a balance in this?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: We've certainly tried. It's become a one-sided affair, where farmers in paddy or sugarcane-growing areas don't want to switch; they feel these are the right crops. Similarly, you'll see how the acreage for maize is increasing in Bihar. But we need to establish a balance. For this, we are making efforts. We've created a Pulses Mission and an Oilseeds Mission. We are striving to increase their production.

Q: We've achieved high productivity varieties in paddy, wheat, cotton, and sugarcane, but we haven't been able to do the same for pulses and oilseeds. Don't you think there's a technology gap in the case of several crops?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I've instructed ICAR to work on how to increase per-hectare production in pulses and oilseeds, including soybeans. However, we have some limitations, such as not using GM seeds yet, except for cotton. But we've developed two paddy varieties using the genome editing method. Now I've asked scientists to apply this in pulses and edible oils as well.

Q: As the Agriculture Minister, how do you view your one-year tenure?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I'm completely focused on agriculture. Apart from farming, I don't enjoy anything else! It's just farming and rural development. Even if the party asks me to go for an election campaign, I feel more drawn to this work because if I immerse myself in it, I will achieve results.

Q: After the "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" concludes, will you present a blueprint/action plan to the country?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Every state has a nodal officer. These nodal officers will prepare reports in collaboration with scientists. Separate reports will be made for each state and every agro-climatic zone within it. These reports will come to us. We will then discuss them with experts and re-determine the direction of agriculture.

This campaign aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India), aiming to increase production and income by bringing the latest scientific technologies to farmers.

Q: India's agricultural exports have stabilized at $50 billion. In the last fiscal year (2024-25), agricultural exports amounted to $51.9 billion. Now, the target is $100 billion in agricultural exports. What is the strategy for this?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: To increase agricultural exports, we are doing three types of things. First, new research. If a farmer produces, they will also look at the profit. Their first priority will naturally be what gives them more money. They will gravitate towards where the profit is. And profit will come from two sources – research and development, and then processing. So we will have to adopt those methods as well.

Second, state governments also need to look at this. Agriculture is a state subject. I cannot do it alone from Delhi. So the second thing I've done is to hold discussions with state governments. We sat with Bihar. When I went to Maharashtra, we sat with their government. We will coordinate with state governments and help them formulate schemes, keeping in mind their climate, local conditions, market, soil characteristics, and the mindset of their farmers.

Q: There's a challenge of increasing investment in agriculture, especially in agricultural research. This year's budget has been presented. What steps will you take to increase this further?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: We will review everything thoroughly, and there will be no shortage of whatever is needed. The Prime Minister is also in favour of research and development. No shortage of resources will be allowed. Currently, our 113 institutions are working. They will focus on what needs to be done where, accordingly.

Q: The Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a National Agricultural Marketing Framework. How will that be implemented?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The marketing framework is very important. Work on it will begin after this campaign. We will focus on it in collaboration with the states.