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HomePosts Tagged "Shivraj Singh Chouhan"
Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Funding, Inputs, Schemes - Govt

Chouhan advocated direct benefit transfer subsidies for fertilizers and farming equipment as part of his recent proposal of prospective policy initiatives for streamlining agriculture. To assist farmers, the government has been contemplating on funding for the shipment of agricultural products. These measures strive to enlighten farmers about present schemes, boost agricultural effectiveness, and minimize consumer costs

Shivraj Singh Chouhan remarked on Monday that the government is striving to simplify agriculture through policy-level changes. He also signaled that direct benefit transfer subsidies for farming equipment, fertilizer, and seeds would be considered in the future. Referring to farmers who came as special guests to witness the Republic Day parade, the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister said that the government spends up to Rs 2,00,000 crore on fertiliser subsidies. The cost incurred by PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is around Rs 60,000 crore; if the fertilizer subsidy is granted via DBT, the bank balance of farmers is expected to grow substantially.

According to the minister, the government will also investigate if direct benefit transfer may be used for other agricultural subsidies, such as those for tractors, drip irrigation, or polyhouses. The minister added that in order to allow farmers to sell their goods all over the nation, the government has been contemplating about compensating for the transport of agricultural products.

Although agricultural produce is inexpensive, the cost increases as it gets to urban areas. The government is considering ways to lessen this disparity for the consumer, such as splitting the cost of transportation,” he stated. The minister also briefed farmers on other government programs, such as the PM Awas Yojna, for which a survey is now being conducted.

Chouhan advocated direct benefit transfer subsidies for

Allied Industry, Animal Health

ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar launched a groundbreaking innovation in the field of sheep breeding – the Mobile Artificial Insemination Laboratory for sheep, aptly named Avi MAIL. The facility aims to revolutionize sheep breeding practices by bringing estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) services directly to farmers’ doorsteps

Artificial insemination has been underutilized in the sheep industry due to challenges such as the ewe’s complex cervical canal and the limited 8-10 hour window for using liquid chilled semen. To address these issues, Avi MAIL was developed to bring AI technology directly to farmers, enabling breed improvement programs. The mobile lab ensures hygienic semen collection, evaluation, and processing from elite rams in a sterilized environment. It also offers awareness and health camps for farmers. Avi MAIL is adaptable for use with other livestock, including goats, pigs, and horses.

The Avi MAIL received widespread acclaim from Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lallan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Prof S.P.S. Baghel, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr Himashu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, ASRB, Dr Praveen Malik, CEO, Agrinnovate, Dr O.P. Choudhary, Former Joint Secretary (NLM), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying along with other ministers, senior officials, and experts.

Dr Arun Tomar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, emphasized the transformative potential of Avi MAIL. He also spoke about the significant milestone in making advanced reproductive technologies accessible to farmers, particularly in remote and nomadic regions. By overcoming the limitations of conventional AI methods, Avi MAIL enables efficient breed improvement programs, paving the way for enhanced sheep productivity and economic growth in the livestock sector, he added.

Developed by Dr Ajit Singh Mahla and his team, Avi MAIL offers a cost-effective, complete AI solution for sheep breeding in the field, making it ideal for scaling up programs across India. Dr Mahla highlighted that despite India having the world’s second-highest sheep population and seven decades of successful use of Artificial Insemination (AI) in farm animals, the country has yet to achieve significant AI coverage, struggling to reach even four-digit numbers nationwide.

Avi MAIL was deployed in five villages in the Tonk and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan, where AI was successfully performed on 450 sheep from 10 farmers, resulting in a lambing rate of 58%. This success demonstrates Avi MAIL’s potential to enhance sheep productivity and support the economic growth of smallholder farmers.

The innovation has great potential for adoption by animal husbandry departments, research institutes, NGOs, and entrepreneurs involved in breed improvement. With the rise of commercial sheep farming and increasing demand for artificial insemination (AI), especially among progressive farmers, Avi MAIL offers a cost-effective, field-ready solution for AI, helping propagate superior germplasm like Avishaan and Avi-Dumba sheep. This can significantly boost sheep productivity in India. The successful launch of Avi MAIL reinforces ICAR-CSWRI’s leadership in livestock productivity innovation, bringing modern breeding practices directly to farmers and ensuring a sustainable, prosperous future for India’s sheep industry.

ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Climate, Collaborations

The government has decided that now the crop loss will be assessed correctly and accurately through satellite based i.e. remote sensing. As way forward towards bridging the price gap between the producing and consuming states, the government has decided to bear the cost of transportation and storage as well.

Union Minister said that PM Crop Insurance Scheme is the world’s largest crop insurance scheme. In this, loanee applications are 876 lakh and non-loanee applications are 552 lakh. A total of 14.28 crore farmers have applied, 602 lakh hectare area is insured and the gross insured amount is Rs 2,73,049 crore. 4 crore farmers have benefited from the scheme. Since the inception of the scheme, Rs 17 thousand crore has been given to the farmer brothers in the form of claim.

Union Minister informed that under the Agri Infra Fund, lending institutions will give loans of Rs 1 lakh crore. An amount of Rs 51,783 crore has been approved for projects worth Rs 85,314 crore till 2024. Out of this, Rs 39,148 crore has been covered under scheme benefits. An investment of Rs 85,208 crore has been raised in the agriculture sector from the approved projects.

Shri Chouhan said that it is also necessary to pay attention to the legalization of crops. States are also making better efforts in this direction. Be it grains or horticulture, production has increased continuously. Food grain production was 265.05 million tonnes in 2013-14, which increased to 328.85 million tonnes in 2023-24. Also, horticulture production was recorded at 352.23 million tonnes. Approval to allocate an amount of Rs 99,311.36 lakh to 15 states as central share to promote the cultivation of oil palm in 1.38 lakh hectare area under National Edible Oil Mission.

Regarding the crop insurance scheme, he told that earlier the loss was assessed manually through crop cutting now the Central government has decided that it will now be done through satellite based i.e. remote sensing. This will ensure correct and accurate assessment of crop loss and the amount will be transferred at the right time through DBT, if any insurance company delays in giving the claim, then it will have to pay 12 per cent interest on the amount. He told that the Center will give its share of the amount immediately. He appealed to the states to also make arrangements to give money immediately in such a situation. He said that in the interest of farmers, many arrangements are also being made for weather based crops and many decisions have been taken in the interest of farmers in the recent past.

He told that in the case of top (tomato, onion and potato) crops, to bridge the price difference between the producer and consumer states during the peak time of harvesting, the government has decided to bear the cost of transportation and storage for the work done by the central nodal agencies. States should come forward to implement the Price Deficit Payment Scheme as an alternative to oilseeds, for this the coverage has been increased from the existing 25 per cent to 40 per cent of the state production of oilseeds. The period has also been increased from 3 months to 4 months. Moisture limit in soybean for 2024-25 has been increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent. So far 11.41 lakh metric tonnes of soybean has been purchased from 6 states and it is still going on. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers are its soul, serving farmers is worship of God for us. Believing this, the Agriculture Department is working in collaboration with all you states. He said that I am confident that we will share suggestions together regarding the budget, improvement in schemes etc. and we will move forward together in that direction.

The government has decided that now the

AgroPolicy, Opinions

Speaking on the numerous rural welfare projects that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put in place over the last six months, Chouhan expressed confidence in India’s development trajectory, on the occasion of New Year

According to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the country’s agriculture and related sectors are predicted to expand by 3.5–4 per cent in 2024–2025, which is a notable improvement above the 1.4 per cent growth observed in FY24.

“The New Year has brought good news that the growth rate of agriculture and allied sectors is likely to be 3.5 to 4 per cent this year,” said Chouhan. Compared to the agricultural growth rate of 1.4 per cent in the previous fiscal year, the anticipated growth is a significant increase.

The minister emphasized continued efforts to guarantee fair prices for farmers’ produce and cited a number of rural development initiatives, such as the Lakhpati Didi campaign to improve rural livelihoods, village road connectivity, homes for the poor, and skill development. Additionally, he emphasized how the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) helps to employ laborers in rural areas.

Separately, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Narendra Modi administration has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers on the first day of 2025, acting as a shield for them. “Today, the first day of 2025, the Modi government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers like a shield. Even if the price of DAP rises on foreign markets, the decision to provide further subsidies will guarantee that our farmers can still access it at fair pricing.

Shah’s remarks followed the Union Cabinet’s approval of a one-year extension of two crop-insurance programs and the announcement of a one-time package to subsidize the essential fertilizer DAP at a cost of up to Rs 3,850 crore.

Speaking on the numerous rural welfare projects

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Interaction, Oilseeds, Opinions, Seeds

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually addresses the 13th National Seed Congress in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, mentioning strategies on reviving “Lab to Land” technology – translating scientific advancements into practical solutions for farmers

Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually addressed the 13th National Seed Congress in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. During this virtual address, Director General of Agricultural Research Council, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Additional Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and other senior officials were present.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that farming is extremely important, not only for India but for the entire world. In a country like India, with a large population, many people earn their livelihood from farming. Agriculture is crucial, as it is the backbone of our economy, and farmers are its soul. India is also a friend to the world, embracing the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Nowadays, we not only fulfill our country’s food needs but also support many countries worldwide by exporting fruits and vegetables. The most critical factor for farming is good seeds. In India, a campaign has been launched to increase production, reduce production costs, provide fair prices for produce, compensate for losses, and diversify agriculture. He mentioned that the Indian Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) just two days ago. The uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has deteriorated the health of the earth and humans, questioning the existence of living beings Chouhan added.

Chouhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes that people should get pure food which is useful for the human body and also maintains the health of the earth. To meet the world’s food requirement, it is necessary that production increases and to increase production the most important thing is to have good and quality seeds. Recently, Prime Minister had released 109 varieties of seeds invented by ICAR, which were climate friendly, required less water and would produce crops in less time. Seeds are the lifeblood of farming. If we are able to provide good seeds to the farmers then there can be no greater service to agriculture than this.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually addresses

AgroPolicy, India, Oilseeds

Malaysia request to India to reduce the restrictions placed on the export of certain agricultural products, such as rice and sugar during the meeting.

India and Malaysia have decided to increase cooperation between the two countries in the field of Oil palm and other sectors. This was discussed during the meeting of the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Minister of Plantations and Commodities of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The Malaysian Minister is on a visit to India from 16-19 July 2024 and met Shivraj Singh Chouhan today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi to discuss opportunities to deepen the bilateral agriculture cooperation between India and Malaysia.

During the G2G meeting, Minister Johari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan explored important topics in depth. These included: maintaining consistent export policies that benefit Indian buyers; working together to tackle the issue of global food security; India’s ambitious plans to become an edible oil nation independent under the NMEO-OP; the significance of sustainable palm oil plantations; and providing ongoing assistance to fulfil India’s palm oil needs.

 Minister Johari stated, “Malaysia stands ready to provide invaluable support, encouraging the growth of oil palm cultivation,” during a news conference in New Delhi. The significance of India to Malaysia’s oil palm industry is immense. Together with Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, I have planned a cooperative effort that will be mutually beneficial to our two countries. Achieving global food security demands and sustainability goals will also be significantly aided by this alliance.

 When comparing edible oils, palm oil is among the most productive and least land-intensive. Despite accounting for just 8 per cent of the world’s arable land, oil palm trees produce 32 per cent of the world’s major seed oil. Palm oil is in a special position to efficiently satisfy the increasing worldwide demand for edible oils, which is particularly relevant given the growing number of people concerned about climate change and deforestation.

 “Malaysia is deeply committed to sustainable palm oil production, adhering to stringent environmental standards and sustainable practices,” Minister Johari continued, expanding on the significance of sustainable palm oil use and cultivation. Certification under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) programme guarantees that palm oil is made in a way that doesn’t harm local communities, biodiversity, or forests.

Malaysia requests India to reduce rice, sugar, and farm export restrictions

During the meeting, the minister Johrisaid in the statement that Malaysia request to India to reduce the restrictions placed on the export of certain agricultural products, such as rice and sugar.

In 2023, India, which is the world’s largest exporter of rice and onions and the world’s second largest exporter of sugar, implemented export restrictions on these commodities in order to maintain a level of price stability in the domestic market in advance of the general elections that were held in April and May 2020. The country of Malaysia is the second-largest exporter of palm oil to India, after Indonesia. India was a significant source of sugar, rice, and onions for Malaysia.

In light of the fact that rice stocks in the country have reached an all-time high, it is anticipated that New Delhi will reduce the floor price for basmati rice exports and replace the twenty percent export tax on parboiled rice with a fixed charge on overseas shipments, according to sources within the government.

Malaysia request to India to reduce the

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Finance, India, Schemes - Govt, Schemes - NABARD

Investments worth Rs 72,000 crore have been mobilised with Rs 43,000 crore already sanctioned for 67,871 projects under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund till date.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a web portal developed jointly by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) and NABARD to automate and speed up the process of settlement of interest subvention claims of banks submitted under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, Chairman, NABARD, senior officers of DA&FW and banks were also present.

Addressing on the occasion, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that newly launched automation of credit claims will ensure timely settlement of claims within a day, which otherwise took months for manual settlement. He said the move will also ensure transparency and check corrupt methods. Shri Chauhan said the new portal on sharing of farmers experience will enable the farming community to gain from each other’s experiences. He said there are several farmers who are self-experimenting and their successful stories should be brought forward for others to emulate. Union Minister said that the investments worth Rs 72,000 crore have been mobilised with Rs 43,000 crore already sanctioned for 67,871 projects under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund till today. Additionally, banks can anticipate quicker settlement of interest subvention claims.

Chouhan also informed that the automated system would help in calculating accurate eligible interest subvention through the portal avoiding the possible human error in manual processing and also help in faster settlement of the claims. The portal shall be used by banks, Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) of DA&FW and NABARD. The automation of the interest subvention claim and credit guarantee fee claim processing will help the government in releasing accurate interest subvention, reduce the turn-around time and in turn help the farmers and agri entrepreneurs financially and encourage them to take up more such projects for development of agriculture in the country.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also launched Krishi Katha, a blogsite meant to serve as a digital platform to showcase the voice of the Indian farmers, dedicated to amplifying the experiences, insights and success stories of farmers across the country.”Krishi Katha” aims to provide a comprehensive and immersive storytelling space where the narratives of India’s agricultural community can be shared and celebrated.

Union Minister highlighted that the launch of Krishi Katha is a significant move towards acknowledging and amplifying the voice of our farmers. He emphasised that their stories of resilience and innovation are the cornerstone of our agricultural sector and expressed confidence that this platform will serve as a wellspring of inspiration for others. The objectives behind this initiative will be helpful in raising awareness, facilitating exchange of knowledge, fostering collaboration and empowering farmers.

Investments worth Rs 72,000 crore have been

AgroPolicy, India, People

Chauhan’s appointment is expected to bring fresh impetus to the government’s efforts in addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector and the farming community.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today took charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Speaking with media on the occasion, Chauhan said he is happy to say that the first decision taken by the Prime Minister yesterday was in the interest of the farmers. He said the Prime Minister has resolved to double the income of farmers and the government will take every possible step for the welfare of farmers. The Minister also added that the NDA government has been committed for farmers’ welfare for past ten years and his Ministry will continue to work for achieving the goals.

After taking over charge, the Minister visited various offices in the Ministry and interacted with staff at various levels including cleanliness workers. He exhorted them to work as a team for achieving the government vision for welfare of farmers and work in cooperation with each other. He also visited Krishi integrated command and control center in the Ministry and saw facilities to review the agriculture scenario within the country including crop production and drought preparedness.

Later, he held a meeting of senior officials of the Ministry and underscored the need for transparency in Ministry functioning. He also handed government manifesto for welfare of farmers and rural development and called upon everyone to work towards its fulfilment. Chauhan asserted that PM Narendra Modi is a visionary leader and called upon the officials to work on a roadmap for achieving goals set up in the manifesto. He said improving upon the lives of Annadata should be the mission of Ministry.

With his extensive experience in governance and deep connect with the rural populace, Chouhan’s appointment as the Union Agriculture Minister is expected to bring fresh impetus to the government’s efforts in addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector and the farming community.

Chouhan, who assiduously cultivated a ‘son of the soil’ image and identified himself with the socio-economic concerns of farmers, villagers, women, and children in Madhya Pradesh, proved his detractors wrong after being denied the chief minister’s post for the fifth time last year.

Born on March 5, 1959, in a farming family in Jait village, Sehore district, Chouhan’s political journey began with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) when he was just 13 years old. He was first elected to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly from Budhni constituency in 1990 and later became a Member of Parliament from Vidisha in 1991.

Chauhan’s appointment is expected to bring fresh

AgroPolicy, India, Vegetables

Bediya chilli mandi in Khargone district is the second-largest chilli market in India

The Madhya Pradesh horticulture and food processing department has applied for geographical indication (GI) tags for 46 state speciality products to aid in their worldwide promotion.

As part of the government’s ‘One District, One Product’ initiative, Nimar’s distinctive crop, Khargone Red Chillies, is already making a splash in foreign markets with 46 other products.

According to the local media Khargone district’s red chillies will receive special product status during Vikas Parv.

The Khargone’s chillies are among 46 special horticulture products in the state. A mission is underway to achieve this. The district cultivated chillies on 46556 hectares in 2023.

Bediya chilli mandi in Khargone district is the second-largest chilli market in India. The market has gained recognition for its high-quality chilli crops, leading to an increase in business expectations.

The Department of Horticulture and food processing conducted a survey of horticulture products in various districts of the state on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s instructions.

Bediya chilli mandi in Khargone district is