Cooperatives are deeply ingrained in the soil and roots of India: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed at a national level seminar on the theme ‘Prosperity through Cooperatives’ based on UN declaring 2025 as the ‘International Year of Cooperatives’, in Mumbai today. The objective of this initiative is to showcase the transformative power of cooperatives in India, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and charting a course for the future growth of the cooperative sector.

Delivering the keynote address in the inaugural session, Shri Chouhan said, cooperatives are deeply ingrained in the soil and roots of India and that, since ancient times, there is a sense that exists for cooperation for the welfare of the world.

Speaking about agriculture sector, Shri Chouhan said that the importance of farmers can never end. Even today agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, the sector contributes 18 percent to the GDP of the country and about 46 percent of the population is dependent on agriculture, he added. Stating that the country has made remarkable progress in last eleven years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Minister informed that foodgrain production has increased by about 44 percent.

Chouhan stated that the roadmap prepared for the prosperity of farmers and development of agriculture sector includes increasing production per hectare, reducing cost of production, fair price for production, proper compensation in case of crop loss, diversification of agriculture and protecting the earth and soil for future generations with limited use of fertilizers. Shri Chouhan said, “We have to decide the path of progress in agriculture sector according to the conditions of the country. Most of the farmers in India have small holdings. Therefore, the small farmer is the focus of our policies”. He further stated that three decisions taken by the Central Government under the leadership of PM Shri Modi are – i) ensuring food security for the country's 144 crore population, ii) increasing the income of farmers and iii) providing nutritious food to all citizens. Farm models are being prepared for integrated farming and brainstorming is taking place on how farmers can benefit even with small holdings, added the Union Minister.

Speaking about the recently organized 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that it was an effort to connect 'Lab to Land' so that the benefits of scientific research reaches the farmers. “It has been decided that this process of dialogue will continue. The scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) will visit the farmers in the field three days a week and provide them with research and other necessary information, and will communicate with them. Agricultural policy cannot be made by sitting in Krishi Bhavan in Delhi”, he added.

During the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, 2,170 teams of scientists went to the grassroots level and interacted with farmers, informed them about various methods of agriculture and research and also listened to their practical problems and then decided the direction of further researches. Many important experiences and innovations were seen during the campaign, which will definitely be taken into consideration while deciding future policies and research. Many serious issues have also come to light during the campaign, the most serious of which is the issue of poor quality pesticides and poor quality seeds for farmers, stated the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister. He added that the central government is going to make strict legislations to take stringent action against those who manufacture and sell substandard seeds and pesticides.