The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ has successfully reached its halfway mark, engaging with millions of farmers across the country. On the 8th day of the campaign, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held an interaction with the farmers in Punjab.
The event was graced by the presence of Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Agriculture Minister, Govt of Punjab, Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, along with several scientists and officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Chouhan emphasized that the campaign aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and the farming community by translating scientific knowledge from "lab to land."
As part of this initiative, agricultural scientists visit villages with prior knowledge of local conditions and engage with farmers accordingly, offering customized guidance on improving productivity based on soil nutrients, climate, and appropriate crop varieties.
Farmers are also educated about pest control and proper use of agrochemicals. The information gathered during these interactions is being used to steer research in directions that meet the actual needs of the field.
Highlighting his personal involvement, the Minister shared that he drove a tractor in the fields to better understand the practical challenges faced by farmers. He reiterated that future agricultural policies would be formulated based on the grassroots-level data collected during this campaign.
Paying tribute to the contribution of Punjab’s farmers, Shri Chouhan said that Punjab has long served as the food bowl of India. He recalled the days when India had to depend on low-quality wheat imports under the PL-480 agreement and credited the Green Revolution for ending this dependency.
He lauded the spirit and dedication of Punjab’s farmers, commending their invaluable efforts and congratulating them for their role in the nation’s agricultural progress. The Minister expressed satisfaction over the record-high wheat production achieved this year and noted similar achievements in rice, maize, groundnut, soybean, pulses, and oilseeds.
He emphasized that India is now self-reliant in food grain production and continues to make significant strides in agricultural productivity. Discussing modern techniques, Shri Chouhan underlined the benefits of direct seeding of paddy (DSR) as a water- and cost-efficient alternative to traditional transplanting methods.
He shared farmers’ feedback that the yield remains consistent while significantly reducing labour and input costs. The Minister also stressed the importance of balanced pesticide use, noting that excessive application not only raises costs but also adversely affects crop quality.
He remarked that Punjab’s fertile land is suitable for a wide variety of crops, including horticulture, and there is immense potential for producing export-quality fruits and vegetables. He called for collective efforts to tap into these opportunities and boost the sector.
Shri Chouhan outlined six key objectives for Indian agriculture enhancing productivity, reducing production costs, ensuring fair prices, compensating for crop losses, encouraging diversification, and preserving natural resources for future generations.
He also welcomed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s decision to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty, terming it a just and timely move. He noted that the treaty had adversely affected farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, and expressed hope that India’s water resources would now be used for the benefit of its own farmers.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister reaffirmed his commitment to farmers, stating that serving them is his highest duty. He added that the true fulfillment of his role as Agriculture Minister lies in enhancing agricultural production and ensuring the prosperity of the farming community.