Shivraj Singh Chouhan Holds Pre-Budget Consultations with Key Agriculture Stakeholders

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held pre-budget consultations with key stakeholders at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, on December 16, 2024. This significant meeting brought together farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Associations, and representatives from various agriculture-related organizations. The discussions revolved around receiving valuable suggestions aimed at shaping the upcoming budget 2025 and fostering growth in the agricultural sector.

During the consultations, Minister Chouhan highlighted the government's commitment to carefully reviewing the inputs gathered and assured that these would be presented to the Finance Minister. He highlighted the Ministry's ongoing internal studies to ensure well-prepared budget proposals while actively revisiting existing schemes to enhance their impact. Chouhan acknowledged the critical role of stakeholder experiences in driving practical and effective agricultural policies.

The suggestions from the meeting included ideas to boost value addition in agriculture, improve facilities for exporters, expand agricultural research, regulate the price and quality of agricultural inputs, and ensure farmers' financial stability. Chouhan expressed confidence that these insights, rooted in field experience, would contribute significantly to the welfare of farmers and the sector's overall growth.

Highlighting the government's efforts to empower farmers, Chouhan noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication of 109 new crop varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to the nation. He also mentioned innovative initiatives like the Kisan Panchayat model, inspired by its success in Madhya Pradesh, as a potential tool for direct farmer engagement and issue resolution.

The meeting also witnessed the participation of senior officials, including Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, along with representatives from ICAR, NABARD, and leading industry bodies like CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce, and ASSOCHAM. Financial institutions, including the State Bank of India and the Soybean Processors Association of India, were also represented, ensuring a comprehensive dialogue.

For 2024-25, the Ministry of Agriculture was allocated Rs 1,32,470 crore, marking a 5% increase from the revised estimate of Rs 1,26,666 crore in 2023-24.