Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said the Centre is accelerating long-pending irrigation and river-linking projects while introducing reforms to boost farmer incomes, ensure quality inputs, and drive digital transformation in agriculture.
Replying to a discussion in the Lok Sabha, Chouhan подчеркed that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to “transforming society and improving lives,” beyond just implementing schemes.
Irrigation Push and River-Linking Projects Gain Momentum
The Minister stated that several irrigation schemes stalled for decades are now being revived under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
- Out of 140 major projects, 99 that previously saw little progress are now being expedited
- The initiatives aim to expand irrigation coverage to 2.7 million hectares of farmland
He also highlighted renewed focus on river-linking efforts, especially the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, which is expected to address flood and drought issues in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
New Laws to Tackle Substandard Seeds and Pesticides
Chouhan announced that the government is preparing new legislation to regulate agricultural inputs, including:
- A revamped seed law
- A stricter pesticide law
The move aims to curb what he termed the “seed–fertiliser–pesticide mafia.”
He added that stricter norms for bio-stimulants have already been implemented, with only about 500 out of nearly 8,000 products meeting scientific standards set by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Digital Agriculture Mission: 9 Crore Farmer IDs Generated
Highlighting the government’s push for tech-driven farming, the Minister said nearly 9 crore Farmer IDs have been created under the Digital Agriculture Mission.
These IDs will:
- Integrate land and crop data
- Simplify access to credit and subsidies
- Improve delivery of government services
He also announced the rollout of an AI-based platform “Bharat Vistaar,” enabling farmers to receive real-time advisory on crop diseases, inputs, and crop selection via images or helplines in local languages.
Natural Farming Mission and Soil Health Focus
Reiterating the focus on sustainable agriculture, Chouhan spoke about the Natural Farming Mission, aimed at reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Key targets include:
- Reaching 1 crore farmers
- Training 18 lakh cultivators
- Expanding coverage to 75 lakh hectares
He noted that scientific studies indicate natural farming can lower input costs while maintaining or improving productivity.
State-Specific Plans and MSP Support Continue
The Centre is also collaborating with states to create region-specific agricultural roadmaps based on agro-climatic conditions, helping farmers choose suitable crops and value chains.
Chouhan reaffirmed continued support through:
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement
- Direct benefit transfers under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
Vision for Farmer Welfare and Viksit Bharat
Concluding his address, the Minister emphasized that reforms in irrigation, technology, input quality, and sustainability are key to:
- Enhancing farmer incomes
- Strengthening rural prosperity
- Building a self-reliant India
He said these efforts collectively contribute to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
