Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually addressed the 13th National Seed Congress in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. During this virtual address, Director General of Agricultural Research Council, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Additional Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and other senior officials were present.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that farming is extremely important, not only for India but for the entire world. In a country like India, with a large population, many people earn their livelihood from farming.
Agriculture is crucial, as it is the backbone of our economy, and farmers are its soul. India is also a friend to the world, embracing the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Nowadays, we not only fulfill our country's food needs but also support many countries worldwide by exporting fruits and vegetables.
The most critical factor for farming is good seeds. In India, a campaign has been launched to increase production, reduce production costs, provide fair prices for produce, compensate for losses, and diversify agriculture.
He mentioned that the Indian Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) just two days ago. The uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has deteriorated the health of the earth and humans, questioning the existence of living beings Shri Chouhan added.
Shri Chouhan said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wishes that people should get pure food which is useful for the human body and also maintains the health of the earth. To meet the world's food requirement, it is necessary that production increases and to increase production the most important thing is to have good and quality seeds.
Recently, Prime Minister had released 109 varieties of seeds invented by ICAR, which were climate friendly, required less water and would produce crops in less time. Seeds are the lifeblood of farming. If we are able to provide good seeds to the farmers then there can be no greater service to agriculture than this.
Shri Chouhan emphasized that the Seed Congress is a vital platform where farmers, seed companies, and traders converge to discuss key issues. He stressed that good quality seeds can boost production by 20%.
To achieve this, a roadmap is essential to ensure that farmers receive high-quality seeds at reasonable prices and on time. Shri Chouhan highlighted the importance of "Lab to Land" - translating scientific advancements into practical solutions for farmers.
This includes ensuring that seeds are made available quickly without compromising quality and remain affordable for farmers. Citing the example of cotton seeds, Shri Chouhan noted that rising prices had made them unaffordable for small farmers.
He emphasized the need to provide sufficient quantities of seeds to ensure timely availability for farmers. Union Minister Shri Chouhan emphasized that providing poor-quality seeds is a serious offense, affecting farmers' livelihoods and production.
He stressed the need to address complaints about substandard seeds. Shri Chouhan highlighted the importance of the 13th Seed Congress in discussing the outcomes of the previous 12 congresses and implementing concrete decisions.
The 13th National Seed Congress will be very important for the availability of good seeds. Shri Chouhan also emphasized the need for a report to be presented at the 14th Congress, detailing the progress made and future actions required.
Additionally, Shri Chouhan noted that India is home to over 3,000 varieties of traditional rice, emphasizing the importance of preserving these traditional seeds. He expressed confidence in the success of the Congress, leveraging the expertise of scholars in attendance to achieve its objectives.