Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a virtual dialogue with all the 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKS) in New Delhi yesterday. In his address, Mr. Chauhan stressed that there is a need to work in a campaign format to develop the agriculture sector. He said that agriculture is a vast sector. Directly, about 45 per cent of the population is associated with agriculture, and about 18 per cent of the country’s GDP comes from the agriculture sector. The Minister said that we will have to make continuous and effective efforts to further strengthen this vast role.

 Addressing the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) heads, the Minister highlighted the importance of capacity-building training for farmers. He said that the country’s farmers will become self-reliant and empowered through good training and awareness. Mr. Chauhan also shared ideas about taking new initiatives to work by linking soil health cards and farmer awareness. He asked the farmers to work further in the direction of farming by giving proper advice according to the balanced use of fertilisers to maintain the quality of the soil.

The Minister also held a weekly review meeting on the progress of the agriculture sector at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. Mr. Chouhan also held a meeting with the officials of NAFED and the National Horticulture Board. In the meeting, Mr. Chauhan inquired from officials about the status of crop harvesting, sowing, procurement, availability of fertilisers, manure-seeds, weather and water reservoirs for irrigation. Because of the possibility of good production of various crops, the Minister directed the officials to make such arrangements that not only do the farmers benefit, but the crops are also purchased in full.