Patna: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held an insightful discussion with farmers in Patna, Bihar, emphasizing that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers are its soul. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving the farmers, which he likened to worshipping God.
Chouhan reiterated the Prime Minister’s commitment to accelerating agricultural reforms. “The Prime Minister has pledged to work three times faster for the welfare of farmers, and we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure the prosperity of farmers across the country,” he stated. He also praised the Bihar government, led by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the Agriculture Department, for their tireless work towards the welfare of the state’s farming community.
The Union Minister applauded the diverse range of agricultural products from Bihar, including makhana, rice, honey, maize, and tea, all of which have shown exceptional quality. He noted that despite 91% of Bihar’s farmers being marginal with small landholdings, they have achieved remarkable success in agriculture.
Chouhan highlighted the Prime Minister’s campaign to double farmers’ income and outlined six key strategies aimed at increasing production, ensuring farmers get the right price for their produce, and promoting agricultural diversification. He underscored the importance of using high-quality seeds for better yields, revealing that the Prime Minister had recently dedicated 109 species of 65 crop seeds to farmers. He assured the farmers that he would work closely with ICAR to ensure these seeds reach Bihar.
Discussing the importance of cost-effective farming, the Minister mentioned how the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) schemes have provided significant relief to farmers. He also noted the rising export quality of Bihar’s makhana, which has boosted farmers’ incomes. The Minister assured his efforts to bring a dedicated office related to makhana production to Bihar, further enhancing its export potential.
In addition to traditional crops, Chouhan spoke about the government’s focus on promoting high-value crops and food processing to increase farmers’ profits. He emphasized that the talent of Bihar’s farmers could not only make Bihar a leader in India but also position the country as a global agricultural powerhouse.
Chouhan also stressed the need for innovative farming practices, particularly natural farming, to reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers. He highlighted the negative effects of chemical fertilizers on soil fertility and crop health, calling for a return to natural methods like using earthworms, which enhance soil fertility.
The Union Minister concluded by promising to organize future programs directly in the fields to address practical farming challenges. “The world cannot function without farmers. Factories can produce many things, but only farmers can give us the wheat and rice we need. We must work together for the betterment of agriculture,” he said.