Strive to increase Kharif crop production while reducing cost: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that his ministry's resolve is to increase the Kharif crop production while reducing the production cost. He added that the synergy between the agricultural research and the farmers will be increased.
The Minister was speaking to reporters here after a meeting with the State agricultural ministers.
'Today, I held a meeting with the Agriculture ministers of all the states...Agriculture is important for the country, whether it is a question of livelihood, employment, contribution to the economy or ensuring food security of the country. Our resolve is to increase production and reduce the cost of production of the Kharif crop. We will make our best efforts for this,' Chouhan said.
'Agriculture is a state subject, and the Centre gives full support, and in our Agricultural Research Council, there are 16,000 scientists who do different research work. We are going to connect the lab with the land...A campaign is going to be launched, 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan',' he added.
Earlier in the day, Chouhan said that India's total foodgrain production in the financial year 2024-25 increased by over 106 lakh tonnes, reaching 1,663.91 lakh tonnes, up from the previous year's output.
'In 2023-24, total foodgrain production was around 15,57.6 lakh tonne. I am glad to tell you that in 2024-25, it has become 16,63.91 lakh tonne,' Chouhan said, addressing a press conference in the national capital.
'The production of Rabi was 1600.06 lakh tonne in 2023-24, now it has become 1645.27 lakh tonne,' he said.
The Union Minister said that his ministry's vision is to make India the food basket of the world.
'Our foodgrain production is increasing...we don't want to stop here. We want to fulfil the needs of our country and also help several countries across the world. Our vision is to make India the food basket of the world, one day,' the minister said.
On Sunday, while participating in the farmers' Convention Krishi Samvaad in Maharashtra, Chouhan announced 'One Nation, One Agriculture and One Team'.
The union minister said that if all the institutions are connected, targets are set, and roadmaps are made, then miracles can be made in agriculture. Chouhan said that Maharashtra, the holy land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is amazing. The farmers here are hardworking and progressive; they have infinite possibilities.
Another big announcement was made by the Union Agriculture Minister who said that a national-level lab will be set up in Pune under the Clean Plant Program. This laboratory will be set up in Pune to conduct research on the original species of plants. Union Agriculture Minister announced this while interacting with the farmers of Vidarbha in the Krishi Samvad program organised under the Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Nagpur. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
35 minutes ago
- Hans India
BJP to hold ‘Balidan Diwas' events marking Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's martyrdom
Hyderabad: Union Minister and BJP State Chief G Kishan Reddy has urged party leaders and activists to hold meetings with the party's primary members at polling booth levels across Telangana. This initiative aims to strengthen the party's organizational structure and involves planting saplings as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, set to take place on Monday. BJP State General Secretary Gujjala Premender Reddy stated on Sunday that this call to action is in honor of 'Balidan Diwas' (Martyrdom Day), which commemorates the sacrifice of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (formerly BJP) founder Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He added, 'The party has planned various programs starting from Dr Mukherjee's martyrdom day on June 23, continuing until his birth anniversary on July 6.' Tribute programs for Dr. Mukherjee will be held in all regions. Key participants include BJP State President and Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, BJP OBC Morcha National President, BJP Parliamentary Board Member, Member of Parliament Dr K Laxman, and BJP Legislature Party Leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, among others. These events will take place at the BJP State Office in Hyderabad, Nampally. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar will pay tribute to Dr. Mukherjee at the Karimnagar BJP District Office. Additionally, BJP National Vice President and Member of Parliament DK Aruna will honor Dr Mukherjee during the sapling planting program in Kammadanam village of the Shadnagar constituency. Members of Parliament, MLAs, Legislative Council members, BJP state leaders, district presidents, party leaders in charge, public representatives, and former public representatives will participate in various activities at their polling booth levels, mandals, districts, and urban areas.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
High cost of domestic solar panels undermines subsidy gains for farmers
Farmers installing solar plants to irrigate their land feel cheated as the increasing prices of domestically made panels nullify the subsidy provided by the central and state govts. Prices of solar panels made in the country currently command ₹28 a watt compared to about ₹14 for the assembled panels, which are made of imported solar cells. With the rising cost, the impact of the 60 per cent subsidy provided by the Union and the state govt (30 per cent each) reduces the benefits by up to 50 per cent. As a result, farmers said that a 5-kW plant, which required about ₹2.7 lakh investment, will now need ₹4 lakh. These projects are mandated to use Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) panels to be eligible for the subsidies. Disappointed with the higher panel rates, a farmer in a social media post even accused the govt of corruption as the benefits promised under the subsidy scheme are not available to him. The shortage of DCR panels has been jacking up prices in India for a long time, forcing vendors to delay project implementation. They accuse the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ) of rolling out schemes with mandatory use of DCR panels without having an adequate supply. "It is benefitting a few manufacturers who are into the production of DCR modules. If the country does not have enough capacity, then the stipulation should be removed for the smooth implementation of the projects," said a vendor preferring anonymity. In DCR modules, solar cells need to be manufactured in India. But the country currently does not have enough cell production capacity. The majority of panel manufacturing volume is made of imported solar cells. The govt has made the DCR mandatory for certain projects, including Kusum and PM Surya Ghar Yojana . Delay in availability risks pushing deadlines further for achieving targets set by MNRE.
The Print
40 minutes ago
- The Print
Roads connecting Nashik to be upgraded ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela: Fadnavis
Considering the large number of devotees and the need for traffic management during the mega congregation in Nashik, Gadkari has given in-principle approval for the development and construction of necessary road infrastructure through his ministry, it said. A high-level meeting concerning the highways connecting Nashik was held in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said on Sunday. Nagpur, Jun 23 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said all roads leading to Nashik will be upgraded ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which will begin on October 31 next year. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will begin on October 31, 2026, with 'Dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting) at Trimbakeshwar and Ramkund in Nashik. The flag will be taken down on July 24, 2028, marking the conclusion of the event, which is held once every 12 years. Citing the growing faith of devotees and expected rise in footfall during the Kumbh Mela, Fadnavis had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for central support to boost road infrastructure, the release said. Accordingly, a high-level meeting was held at the CM's Office in Nagpur in the presence of Gadkari and state senior officials, and these decisions were taken, it said. Nashik is connected by eight major routes, including from Mumbai, Palghar, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhule and neighbouring Gujarat state. While these roads will play a crucial role during the Kumbh Mela, internal roads in and around Nashik that connect to national highways were also discussed in the meeting. Gadkari has given in-principle approval to nearly all proposed roads, and it was decided that the required funds to complete the work would be provided soon, the CMO said. Fadnavis said the expected surge in traffic during Kumbh will be managed effectively through an expanded road network, ensuring safer travel for devotees. Approval was granted for the Nashik Ring Road, and a decision was made to widen the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road into a six-lane highway, the release said. To ensure smooth traffic within Nashik, it has been decided to enhance the infrastructure at Dwarka Circle. Like the Kalamboli junction in Navi Mumbai, Nashik's Dwarka Circle will be developed in two phases, one before Kumbh and the other after the event, the release added. PTI MR NR GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
