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Hans India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Govt eyes bumper foodgrain output
New Delhi: India is likely to achieve a new record in foodgrain production during the 2025-26 kharif season starting next month, buoyed by forecasts of above-normal monsoon rains, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. In an interview with PTI, Chouhan also called for stringent laws to curb the sale of fake and substandard pesticides, and better implementation of soil health cards to ensure balanced fertiliser use. The minister, who is leading a 15-day nationwide Viksit Krishi Abhiyan (Developed Agriculture Campaign) across the country, said the outreach programme ahead of kharif sowing would help refine policies and research plans to boost agricultural production. According to the agriculture ministry's third estimate, India's foodgrain production hit a record 168.06 million tonnes in the 2024-25 kharif season. Kharif foodgrain output has risen 31.23 per cent since 2014-15. During visits to 10 states so far, the minister said he learned from farmers that existing crop varieties in some areas have developed resistance to emerging pests. Farmers also raised concerns about fake pesticides and sought greater protection during price crashes. Research plans and policies for short, medium and long-term implementation will be developed based on these inputs, he said. As farmers prepare their fields for kharif sowing, Chouhan said, farmers complained about substandard pesticides in the market. 'We need to frame a stringent law to address this. Now they get away with paying some penalty. We should come out with a strict law to punish those engaged in selling poor/substandard pesticides,' he said. On pulses and oilseed production, the minister said output has improved, but India still has far to go to achieve self-reliance and reduce import dependency. The government is working with a mission approach, distributing better quality seeds and educating farmers on best practices while ensuring procurement. These efforts will be intensified to address yield gaps, he added.
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Govt eyes record food grain output in 2025-26 Kharif season on good monsoon forecast: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The minister, who is leading a 15-day nationwide Viksit Krishi Abhiyan across the country, said the outreach program ahead of kharif sowing would help refine policies and research plans to boost agricultural production.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt eyes record foodgrain output in 2025-26 Kharif season on good monsoon forecast: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India is likely to achieve a new record in foodgrain production during the 2025-26 kharif season starting next month, buoyed by forecasts of above-normal monsoon rains, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. In an interview with PTI, Chouhan also called for stringent laws to curb the sale of fake and substandard pesticides, and better implementation of soil health cards to ensure balanced fertiliser use. The minister, who is leading a 15-day nationwide Viksit Krishi Abhiyan (Developed Agriculture Campaign) across the country, said the outreach program ahead of kharif sowing would help refine policies and research plans to boost agricultural production. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Support elderly mothers. Donate Today HelpAge India Donate Now Undo According to the agriculture ministry's third estimate, India's foodgrain production hit a record 168.06 million tonnes in the 2024-25 kharif season. Kharif foodgrain output has risen 31.23 per cent since 2014-15. "The ongoing campaign will help further boost agriculture production in the kharif season as we are trying to address farmers' concerns and educate them about new technologies and practices," Chouhan said. Live Events During visits to 10 states so far, the minister said he learned from farmers that existing crop varieties in some areas have developed resistance to emerging pests. Farmers also raised concerns about fake pesticides and sought greater protection during price crashes. Research plans and policies for short, medium and long-term implementation will be developed based on these inputs, he said. "With these efforts, plus likely good monsoon, should help achieve a new record in kharif foodgrain production in 2025-26," Chouhan said. Sowing of kharif crops like paddy begins in July with the southwest monsoon onset. Monsoon rains are projected to be normal this year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an above-normal southwest monsoon for the entire 2025 season (June to September). Monsoon's progress had stalled since May 26, and IMD forecasts that after a pause, the southwest monsoon is expected to revive between June 12 and 18, 2025, advancing into central and eastern India. As farmers prepare their fields for kharif sowing, Chouhan said, farmers complained about substandard pesticides in the market. "We need to frame a stringent law to address this. Now they get away with paying some penalty. We should come out with a strict law to punish those engaged in selling poor/substandard pesticides," he said. On pulses and oilseed production, the minister said output has improved, but India still has far to go to achieve self-reliance and reduce import dependency. The government is working with a mission approach, distributing better quality seeds and educating farmers on best practices while ensuring procurement. These efforts will be intensified to address yield gaps, he added. To tackle per-hectare yield gaps, the government is identifying 100 districts under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhyan Krishi Yojana scheme. "The contours of the schemes are getting ready and will be launched soon," Chouhan said.
The Print
4 days ago
- Business
- The Print
From bee-killing pesticides to marauding monkeys: Uttarakhand farmers seek govt help
'I want better pesticides which do not kill my bees. I wish researchers can help me find a solution,' Sharma told Chouhan during a government outreach programme in Pawwala Soda village. His dilemma reflects broader challenges confronting Indian agriculture, as farmers across Uttarakhand appealed to the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday for help, with everything from marauding monkeys to inadequate market access. Dehradun, Jun 6 (PTI) Hariprasad Sharma has doubled his profits growing lychees in Uttarakhand, but the 65-year-old farmer faces an unexpected problem — pesticides protecting his fruit are killing the bees that pollinate his trees. The interaction was part of a 15-day nationwide, Viksit Krishi Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to engage directly with farmers, as the country seeks to boost agricultural productivity to feed its 1.4 billion people. Sharma's lychee orchard produces 100 quintals annually, generating profits of Rs 4,00,000 on a production cost of Rs 2,00,000, thanks to government subsidies for irrigation and pruning equipment. But rising land prices and urban development threaten traditional farming areas, he said. 'Land has become costly here and people are cutting mango and lychee orchards. This needs to be stopped to produce mango and lychee for future generations,' Sharma added. The concerns echo those of farmers across India, where rapid economic growth has driven up land prices and encouraged the conversion of agricultural plots for housing and industrial projects. Ashish Rajvanshi represents a new generation of Indian farmers, pivoting toward organic production to capture premium markets. His family has grown Dehraduni Basmati rice for generations, but since 2020, it has focused on organic certification and branding. Government schemes provided free weighing machines, vacuum wrapping equipment and retail store subsidies, helping establish his 'North India' organic rice brand across 30 acres of owned and contract farmland. 'We are doing well here, but to scale it further, we need better market access and participation in trade fairs,' said Rajvanshi, whose experience highlights the gap between small-scale success and commercial scaling in India's fragmented agricultural sector. Perhaps the most pressing concern raised by farmers was human-wildlife conflict, an issue that rarely features in policy discussions but significantly impacts rural livelihoods. Subhash Chandra Kotari, who diversified into vermicompost production, alongside cattle rearing, said many farmers near forest areas are abandoning agriculture due to wild animal attacks on crops. 'Small farmers cannot afford to install solar or wire fencing, the government must support,' he said. The problem has become so severe that some farmer collectives now select crops based on what animals won't eat. The 600-member Raipur Krishi Utpadak Cooperative grows vegetables, spices and herbs, specifically because 'monkeys do not harm' them, according to its Chairman Ashish Vyas. Farmers also complained about complex procedures for accessing government benefits, despite the government spending crores annually on agricultural subsidies and support schemes. 'We want schemes to reach directly to farmers. Now, there is no full awareness. Paperwork is too much. There should be single window clearance,' said Vyas. Farmers expressed worry about farmland depletion as the next generation shows little interest in continuing family agricultural traditions potentially threatening long-term food security in the world's most populous nation. Chouhan assured farmers their concerns would be addressed as part of the government campaign, which involves 75 teams visiting agricultural areas across Uttarakhand state. The programme, running until June 12, has already covered seven other states. PTI LUX BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
