New Delhi: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said the vision of a developed India cannot be achieved without transforming the agriculture sector and improving farmers’ incomes.
Addressing the 97th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Society at the National Agricultural Science Complex in New Delhi, Chouhan called for a shift from focusing solely on higher production to building a stronger agricultural identity from the farm to global markets.
He stressed the need for a demand-driven research ecosystem aligned with farmers’ needs, market trends and consumer requirements. Research outcomes, he said, should provide direct and measurable benefits to farmers.
Chouhan said the next phase of agricultural transformation must focus on raising farm incomes and strengthening the resilience of small and marginal farmers. He highlighted integrated farming systems, timely availability of quality seeds and planting material, balanced fertiliser use, improved soil health and sustainable farming practices.
He also called for improving India’s export potential through better quality, nutrition, processing, packaging and shelf life, along with compliance with international standards.
The minister further stressed the need for stronger partnerships between ICAR and industry to ensure that technologies developed through agricultural research reach farmers faster and more effectively.
