Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Weekly Dialogues with Farmers to Address Key Issues

New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated a series of dialogues with farmers and farmers’ organizations in Delhi today. During the first meeting, Chouhan emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy and that farmers are its soul. He reiterated his commitment to addressing farmers’ concerns, stating, “Serving farmers is like worshiping God for us.”

The Minister shared his decision to hold weekly discussions with farmers every Tuesday, underscoring the importance of direct communication. “Sitting in offices, we often do not fully grasp the challenges that farmers face. It is our duty to connect with them, listen to their problems, and find solutions together,” Chouhan said. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) also participated in the dialogue.

Chouhan highlighted the ongoing efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to strengthen the agriculture sector. Over the last decade, numerous schemes have been implemented, and this momentum continues. In the first 100 days of the Modi government’s third term, seven major agricultural schemes have been approved, with the central government allocating Rs 15,000 crore to benefit farmers.

Among these initiatives is the Digital Agriculture Mission, which has received Rs 2,817 crore to drive agricultural reforms through technology. The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), designed to protect farmers’ incomes, will continue with an allocation of Rs 35,000 crore. Chouhan emphasized that all decisions are made with farmers’ interests in mind and that the government is committed to addressing their challenges through collaborative efforts.

During today’s meeting, Chouhan interacted with around 50 farmer leaders, receiving valuable suggestions on critical issues such as crop prices, the crop insurance scheme, and the problem of stray animals damaging crops. Some farmers also raised concerns about what measures should be implemented when new crops arrive.

Chouhan assured the farmers that their suggestions would be carefully considered. “We will sit with the team of officials, work out all the suggestions seriously, and do whatever is possible for the welfare of farmers,” he stated. He expressed confidence in the positive outcome of these discussions, noting that the meetings took place in a cordial atmosphere and that many farmers praised recent decisions made by the Modi government.

Farmers appreciated several recent government measures, including increasing the import duty on palm oil to 27.5%, removing the minimum export price on Basmati rice, and reducing the export duty on onions from 40% to 20%. Additionally, the government’s commitment to purchasing all pulses, such as tur, urad, and masoor, was met with widespread approval.

Chouhan assured farmers that the dialogue initiated today would continue regularly, and the government would leave no stone unturned in addressing their issues. “The dialogue we have started with the farmers has won everyone’s heart, and this dialogue will continue. We will talk to our own farmers and will try to solve their problems honestly,” he affirmed.

Addressing the issue of stubble burning, Chouhan mentioned that extensive research has been conducted, and machines have been developed to convert stubble into valuable resources instead of waste. “Stubble will no longer need to be burned. It can be transformed into wealth,” he said, emphasizing the need to raise awareness among farmers to adopt these solutions for better resource utilization.