The North News
New Delhi, June 5
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged farmers across the country to adopt direct sowing methods to conserve water and increase efficiency in rice cultivation. Speaking on the eighth day of the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ campaign during a visit to Punjab, Chouhan also praised the contributions of the state’s farmers, calling Punjab “the land that feeds the nation.”
Addressing farmers, Chouhan said he “bows to the land of Punjab,” acknowledging the critical role of the state’s farming community in ensuring national food security. The minister promoted the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique, describing it as a water-saving and cost-effective alternative to traditional transplanting. He cited feedback from farmers suggesting the method yields comparable results while reducing labour and input costs.
Chouhan, who has previously served as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, stressed that bridging the gap between agricultural research and field practice is the core aim of the ongoing campaign. As part of the initiative, agricultural scientists are engaging with farmers in rural areas to offer tailored advice on crop selection, soil health, pest control, and responsible agrochemical use. “The initiative moves science from the lab to the land,” Chouhan said. “And we are using the insights gathered in the field to shape future agricultural research and policy.”
Highlighting his hands-on approach, the minister said he personally drove a tractor in the fields to better understand the challenges farmers face. He said future farm policies would be informed by this grassroots-level data.
Reflecting on India’s agricultural progress, Mr Chouhan credited the Green Revolution with ending dependency on foreign wheat under the PL-480 programme. He celebrated the country’s record production of wheat this year and noted growth in other crops, including rice, maize, soybean, pulses, and oilseeds. Punjab’s fertile land, he added, holds vast potential for high-value horticulture, including the export of fruits and vegetables. He called for more investment and cooperation in this area.
Chouhan outlined six key priorities for Indian agriculture: boosting productivity, reducing input costs, ensuring fair pricing, compensating for crop losses, encouraging diversification, and conserving natural resources.
He also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to revoke the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it “just and timely.” The treaty, he claimed, had long disadvantaged farmers in northern India. “Now, these waters can serve our own farmers,” he said.
The minister concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the farming community. “Serving farmers is my highest duty,” he said. “True fulfilment lies in ensuring their prosperity and in safeguarding our future through sustainable agriculture.”
