Union Agriculture Minister Favours Smooth Supply of Seeds for Kharif, Rabi

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wants states to ensure a smooth supply of seeds for Kharif season and early planning for the supply of Rabi seeds. Chouhan conveyed this during a meeting with Bihar Agriculture Minister Mangal Pande at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on July 11, 2024, as part of the state-wise discussions initiated by him to ensure rapid progress of the agriculture sector in the country. The union minister has already had meetings with agriculture ministers of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

He said the Centre will continue to provide all possible assistance to Bihar in the interest of farmers and agriculture sector. The union minister assured the Bihar minister to review the allocation of funds under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and National Food Security Mission to Bihar and called for new proposals in this regard.

Chouhan also called for review to ensure smooth supply of seeds for Kharif season and early planning for supply of Rabi seeds, according to an official release. He discussed with Pande various schemes and programmes of the Agriculture Ministry and said that the farmers of Bihar will not be allowed to face any problem at the central level.

The union minister asserted that both the Centre and the states should work as a team to improve agriculture sector in the country and look for solutions in a concerted way.

Pande, on his part, said there was a need to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the state. To this, the union minister promised to review the functioning of KVKs.

Pande also highlighted the production potential for maize and makhana (fox nut) in the state and sought the Centre’s support to tap it.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ramnath Thakur was also present at the meeting along with senior officials of the Central and State Agriculture and Horticulture departments.