Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressing the Rajya Sabha, strongly criticized the previous Congress government for denying farmers the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government has consistently increased MSP over the past decade, showcasing its unwavering commitment to farmers' welfare. Chouhan assured that the government would not only fix the MSP at more than 50% of production costs but also procure crops directly from farmers, reaffirming the Modi government’s guarantee to secure fair prices for agricultural produce.
Highlighting a significant milestone, Chouhan pointed to the 2015 renaming of the ministry as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, signalling a strategic shift toward prioritizing farmers' welfare. He stated that the government has implemented the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission by ensuring MSP includes a 50% profit margin on production costs, a promise the Congress government failed to deliver. “This is Modi’s government, and fulfilling promises to farmers is our guarantee,” he declared.
During the Rajya Sabha proceedings, Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar affectionately dubbed Chouhan as "Kisano Ke Laadle," or the beloved of farmers, in recognition of his energetic efforts and commitment to agriculture. Dhankhar expressed confidence in Chouhan’s ability to uplift the farming community, describing him as a brother to both sisters and farmers.
Chouhan highlighted the significant increase in budget allocation for agriculture under the Modi administration. The allocation has increased from Rs 21,900 crore in 2013-14 to a Rs 1.22 lakh crore. Outlining the government’s six priorities for farmers' welfare, Chouhan detailed initiatives aimed at boosting production, reducing production costs, ensuring fair pricing, compensating crop losses through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, promoting agricultural diversification, and advancing natural farming practices. “Our goal is to empower farmers so they no longer need loan waivers and can achieve sustainable growth,” he said.
The minister highlighted the significant subsidies given to farmers, including an allocation of Rs 1.94 lakh crore to ensure the affordability of fertilizers like urea and DAP. These initiatives, along with efforts to raise awareness about the negative impacts of excessive chemical fertilizer use, demonstrate the government’s dual commitment to sustainable and accessible farming. Chouhan reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers by balancing the availability of subsidized fertilizers and advancing organic farming practices.
Chouhan concluded by pledging to utilize all his capabilities to improve the agricultural sector and fulfil Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed and self-reliant India. "We are leaving no stone unturned in transforming the lives of farmers and ensuring their prosperity," he stated.
