Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level review meeting on Wednesday to ensure strategic preparedness for the upcoming Kharif season amid global instability.
Officials Asked to Stay Proactive
During the meeting, the minister directed senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry to adopt a proactive and vigilant approach to ensure that farmers do not face any difficulties during the crisis.
Focus on Fertiliser Supply and Farmer ID
Chouhan emphasized the need to ensure:
- Uninterrupted and equitable supply of fertilisers
- Faster implementation of the Farmer ID system to improve transparency and efficiency
He also announced plans to hold a meeting soon with Chief Ministers and State Agriculture Ministers.
Crackdown on Black Marketing and Hoarding
The minister issued strict instructions to take action against:
- Black marketing of fertilisers and seeds
- Hoarding practices exploiting global disruptions
He said states will be encouraged to enforce strict measures against violators.
Review of Seed Production and Packaging Supply
The meeting also reviewed:
- Availability of gas for seed drying processes
- Supply of agro-chemicals
Chouhan stressed that there should be no shortage of packaging materials, especially for agricultural products like milk, and called for coordination with the Petroleum Ministry and other departments.
Special Cell Formed for Monitoring Agriculture Sector
A Special Monitoring Cell has been set up to track:
- Availability of fertilisers
- Seeds and pesticides supply
The cell will submit weekly reports to the minister to ensure timely intervention.
Govt Assures Full Support to Farmers
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to providing all necessary resources to farmers on time, ensuring smooth agricultural operations during the Kharif season.
