Shivraj Singh Chouhan addresses conference of 20,000 farmers in Maharashtra

Shivraj Singh Chouhan today addressed a large congregation of 20,000 farmers at the Global Vikas Trust (GVT) Krishikul, Sirsala in Beed district, Maharashtra.

Before delivering his address at the main conference, Shri Chouhan held a face-to-face interaction with farmers, where they shared their experiences and discussed the positive changes brought about in their lives through the adoption of new agricultural innovations. Farmers apprised the Union Minister of their progress in silk farming, natural farming practices, and water conservation initiatives.

After an extensive discussion, Shri Chouhan lauded the work of the GVT team for their contribution towards the prosperity of farmers and congratulated them for pioneering new models that have helped enhance farmers’ income and living standards. He said that such success stories should be shared widely across other villages to inspire similar efforts. “The true objective of all our initiatives is to ensure the increase in farmers’ income. No farmer brother or sister should ever be compelled to take the tragic step of suicide,” the Union Minister said.

In his address to the large gathering of 20,000 farmers, Shri Chouhan said, “A farmer is not merely a cultivator but a provider of life — the ‘Annadaata’ of the nation.” He informed that, for the first time in the country, under the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, scientists from across India have stepped out of their laboratories and reached directly to the fields, interacting with farmers to ensure that the benefits of agricultural research and innovation reach the grassroots level.

The Union Minister emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central government is committed to ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds for all farmers. Referring to the recent erratic weather conditions, he said that excessive rainfall this year had severely damaged crops across several regions, affecting the livelihoods and future of farmers and their families. “However, both the Centre and the State governments are fully alert and committed to extending timely assistance to every affected farmer,” he assured.

Shri Chouhan announced that the State Government would provide immediate compensation to farmers for crop losses, and that additional financial aid would be extended through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). “If the State Government seeks a special relief package from the Centre after conducting its damage assessment, the Government of India will leave no stone unturned to fulfil that request,” he said.

The Union Minister further asserted that under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, every rupee of compensation owed to farmers would be delivered. “If required, we will directly consult farmers to ensure that every single rupee of their rightful claim reaches them,” the Union Agriculture Minister said.

Referring to his recent review meeting with insurance companies in Delhi, Shri Chouhan said that he had personally interacted with farmers from Maharashtra to ensure the correctness of claim settlements and to identify and remove discrepancies. “Crop losses will be assessed by the State Government through the Crop Cutting Experiment, and compensation will be provided accordingly under the Fasal Bima Yojana,” he stated.

Addressing the growing challenges of climate change, Shri Chouhan said that erratic rainfall and drought patterns require the development of new seed varieties resilient to both excessive water and drought conditions. “We must develop climate-resilient seeds to safeguard farmers from such unpredictable weather,” he added.

Discussing fertiliser subsidy reforms, the Minister said the government is actively considering direct transfer of fertiliser subsidies to farmers’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and prevent leakages.

Highlighting the importance of cow-based and natural farming, Shri Chouhan cautioned against excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. “Overuse of fertilisers and chemicals is damaging our soil and reducing its productivity. To secure the future needs of our coming generations, we must move towards organic and sustainable farming,” he said.

The Union Minister urged farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops and adopt integrated approaches. “Along with conventional farming, farmers should cultivate fruits, flowers, vegetables, and adopt agroforestry practices. It is time to change our cropping pattern,” Shri Chouhan said.

On the issue of market linkages and intermediaries, the Agriculture Minister said that the government’s effort is to ensure fair prices for farmers. He suggested two practical measures: first, promoting cluster-based farming so that traders can procure directly from farmers; and second, developing village-level processing units. “We will work in close coordination with Union Minister for Food Processing Shri Chirag Paswan to promote local food processing and value addition,” Shri Chouhan said.

Touching upon water conservation, the Union Minister informed farmers that the central government had recently decided to utilise 65% of MGNREGA funds in drought-prone blocks for water conservation activities. “This will help strengthen irrigation facilities and mitigate drought conditions,” he said.

The Union Agriculture Minister also emphasised the need for integrated farming systems, combining agriculture with allied activities such as beekeeping, fisheries, and animal husbandry. “Given the small size of landholdings, these allied sectors can substantially supplement farmers’ incomes,” he noted.

Speaking about the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin, Shri Chouhan said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, 30 lakh houses have already been sanctioned to Maharashtra. “After the completion of the new survey, all remaining eligible families will also receive financial assistance for housing,” he assured.

He further warned of strict action against the manufacture of spurious fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, saying that the government takes the issue very seriously. “A new Bill targeting those involved in the production and sale of fake fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides will be introduced in the upcoming Budget Session,” the Union Minister declared.

“Our farmers are the pride of our nation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we are committed to ensuring that every farmer in India lives with dignity, prosperity, and self-reliance,” he said.

Concluding his address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan extended greetings to all farmers and citizens on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’.