Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, virtually addressed a program held at ICAR-Pusa, New Delhi, on the occasion of National Space Day. The event was themed “Research and Development in Space Technology for Agricultural Transformation.”
Shri Chouhan emphasized that space science has brought revolutionary changes in Indian agriculture, contributing significantly to record food grain production in the country. Today, space applications have become an integral part of farming, playing a vital role in crop estimation, acreage assessment, weather forecasting, and production of key crops such as wheat, rice, mustard, and sugarcane.
Highlighting technological progress, the Minister stated that earlier, weather predictions were based largely on assumptions. However, with ISRO’s Geo-Portal, farmers now have access to near-accurate data on rainfall, drought, and weather patterns. This portal also provides real-time information on soil moisture, crop health, and other vital parameters, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on crop management.
Shri Chouhan noted that earlier, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana faced challenges due to lack of transparency. Now, with remote sensing technology, crop loss can be assessed with precision, ensuring that only genuinely affected farmers receive timely compensation, based on satellite imagery.
Calling scientists the “Modern Rishis,” the Minister said that while science and technology have already transformed farmers’ lives, there is still much to achieve. Addressing small landholders, tackling virus problems in sugarcane and cotton, and enhancing the productivity of pulses and oilseeds remain major challenges. He underlined that the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ aims to directly transfer scientific advancements to farmers. He also stressed the urgent need to develop tools for identifying spurious fertilizers and pesticides, as demanded by farmers.
“One Nation – One Team – One Goal”:
Concluding his address, Shri Chouhan highlighted that nearly 500 new research topics have emerged, requiring collaborative efforts. He urged scientists to focus on agricultural surveys, animal husbandry, horticulture, natural resource management, and crop-specific research to create a comprehensive roadmap for India’s agricultural development.
