In a detailed Lok Sabha address, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed the Modi government’s dedication to doubling farmers’ incomes. ‘Farmer welfare is our top agenda,’ he declared, responding to pointed questions from lawmakers on agricultural reforms.
Chouhan detailed initiatives to wean farmers off tobacco cultivation, promoting lucrative substitutes including hybrid corn, peppers, yams, cotton, tubers, chia, fodder legumes, black-eyed peas, ragi, tur dal, cane, soy, jowar, and peanuts. These crops are selected for their market viability and income potential, safeguarding farmers’ financial health.
With smallholder farmers dominating India’s agrarian landscape, reliance on single crops poses significant risks. The response? Innovative integrated farming systems piloted nationwide. Farmers can now blend grain production, horticulture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, apiculture, goat rearing, and tree cropping under one model, yielding consistent revenue streams annually.
MSP enhancements have led to unprecedented purchases this procurement season. Pulse growers benefit from a registration-based full-procurement guarantee for key varieties. Crop insurance overhaul mandates prompt claims: individual losses qualify for aid, with strict timelines enforced—21 days max, or face 12% interest from insurers and states.
Cracking down on graft, the minister spotlighted the Krishi Rakshak digital portal for complaint redressal. Violations in insurance or schemes trigger immediate probes and penalties. Massive DBT infusions—thousands of crores in Rajasthan and beyond—have directly empowered farmers, cutting out corruption.
Chouhan’s vision paints a resilient farming future, where diversification, fair pricing, and tech-driven accountability converge to uplift millions.