Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan today called for Corporate Social Responsibility Support (CSR) to strengthen agriculture through startups, skill development, Skill Development and Agri-Tech. The Minister said this while addressing the ICAR Technology Portfolio for Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2026 in New Delhi. He urged the corporate sector to embrace the Indian ethos of trusteeship and dedicate a part of its earnings towards the welfare of farmers, agricultural research and rural communities. He said that while the nation provides growth opportunities, it is the responsibility of industry to become an active partner in nation-building by investing in agriculture and rural development through CSR.
The Minister stressed that CSR investments create tangible impact in areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, soil health, nutrition-secure food systems, agricultural skill development and women farmers’ entrepreneurship. Mr Chouhan described the conclave as a unique platform where corporates, ministers, scientists, government officials and farmers had come together, creating a complete value chain for agriculture. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of trusteeship, he said that those who possess wealth are not its owners but its trustees, and that wealth ultimately belongs to society.
