The Central Government is planning to amend the Pesticide Act and Seed Act to protect farmers from the damage caused by counterfeit seeds and pesticides. Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, shared this information during an event in Coimbatore. He emphasized that the existing laws only impose financial penalties on offenders, which are insufficient. The government now aims to introduce stricter laws that would ensure harsher punishments for violators.
The Union Minister participated in a day-long brainstorming session in Coimbatore focused on enhancing cotton productivity. The meeting brought together key stakeholders including Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education Mangilal Jat, Director General of ICAR, senior officials from both ministries, seed industry representatives, ginning unit owners, agri-equipment manufacturers, vice-chancellors of agricultural universities, and farmer representatives. During the session, Mr. Chouhan stated that a short-term and long-term strategy is being developed to transform India into a major cotton-exporting nation by 2030.
Chouhan announced that the government will promote high-density cotton farming across the country. To support this, research initiatives through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will be accelerated. The goal is to raise India's average cotton yield which currently stands at 447 kg per hectare—to meet global standards. The Agriculture Ministry, Textile Ministry, ICAR, and private sector will jointly undertake demand-driven research to make the Cotton Mission a success.
ICAR will also prioritize the development of farmer-friendly agricultural machinery and climate-resilient seeds, especially targeting the needs of small and marginal farmers. A dedicated machinery testing center will be established to address the specific requirements of southern states.
Fair Pricing and Modernization of Ginning Units: Under the Cotton Mission, the government has set key targets including capacity building of farmers, modernization of ginning units, and ensuring fair market prices for cotton produce.
Call for Cooperation from All States: When asked about the absence of the state agriculture minister at the event, Chouhan clarified that an invitation had been extended and that the program was apolitical, focused solely on farmers' welfare. He added that the central government is keen to work with all states collaboratively to solve the issues faced by farmers.
Read More- Cotton Cultivation, Commencement of Water, Soil, and Advanced Technology in Indian Agriculture
