Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, interacted with farmers on the sixth day of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan during his visit to Narayangaon in Pune district, Maharashtra. During the visit, he toured the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), the tomato market, the APMC yard, local farms, and inspected cold storage facilities while interacting with local farmers.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan emphasized that the country’s 16,000 agricultural scientists should not remain confined to laboratories. Instead, they must regularly visit fields, understand farmers’ challenges, and offer practical solutions. He stated that the vision of a developed India is incomplete without the prosperity of its farmers and the growth of the agricultural sector.
The Union Minister announced that the government is preparing to implement strict legislation against individuals or companies involved in the production and distribution of fake fertilizers or pesticides. Offenders will face stringent legal action under the upcoming law to safeguard farmers’ interests.
Shri Chouhan introduced a new Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) aimed at benefiting farmers growing Tomato, Onion, and Potato. Under this scheme, if farmers sell their produce in other states where they receive better prices, the central government will bear the transportation cost. This scheme, implemented upon request by state or union territory governments, aims to ensure fair prices for farmers and price stability for consumers.
Climate Change a Major Concern; Regional Agricultural Roadmaps on the Way:
Expressing concern over climate change, Shri Chouhan urged agricultural scientists to develop crop varieties that can withstand high temperatures and unseasonal rainfall. He also emphasized the need for research on enhancing the shelf life of tomatoes and grapes, along with improvements in agri-processing. He announced that region-specific agricultural roadmaps would be prepared and implemented jointly by the central and state governments.
Farmers Raise Key Issues on MSP, Inputs, and Infrastructure:
During the interaction, farmers voiced their concerns to the Union Minister. They highlighted issues such as Minimum Support Price (MSP), crop damage due to untimely rains, the impact of climate change, timely availability of seeds and equipment, lack of cold storage, and the need for agri-processing centres.
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