Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held discussion with members of farmers organizations in New Delhi on October 01, 2024. This dialogue is part of his regular Tuesday meetings aimed at addressing farmers' issues and strengthening their welfare. During the session, Chouhan welcomed the leaders and farmers who shared vital concerns and suggestions related to agriculture.
Key topics raised included reducing the cost of farming, ensuring profitable prices for crops, protecting crops from waterlogging, ensuring the availability of quality seeds and pesticides, and addressing the growing menace of animal damage to crops. Farmers also voiced concerns over the deteriorating soil health due to excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and the lack of awareness about government schemes, which prevents many from reaping their benefits.
Chouhan acknowledged that many farmers praised the crop insurance scheme but noted that not all farmers can access it. They also raised practical issues such as the need for timely replacement of burnt transformers to ensure uninterrupted crop irrigation. Concerns over industrial pollution affecting crops and underground water quality were also discussed.
The minister highlighted that seemingly small problems, if resolved, could increase farmers' incomes by 10 to 20 percent. He assured farmers that the Central Government would address issues within its jurisdiction, such as enforcing stricter laws to prevent the sale of fake seeds. For matters that require state-level intervention, the suggestions will be forwarded to the respective state governments.
Chouhan expressed his gratitude to the farmers for their valuable input and assured them that both the central and state governments would work together to resolve these challenges.
He also highlighted the importance of moving away from manual surveys to more efficient methods of record-keeping, as suggested by the farmers.
