New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Tuesday presented a comprehensive overview of India’s agricultural development during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Emphasising the Modi government’s commitment to farmers, he highlighted landmark achievements, policy reforms, and substantial support mechanisms aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape.
Six Pillars of Agricultural Development
Shri Chouhan outlined six major strategies driving the transformation of Indian agriculture:
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Boosting crop production
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Reducing input costs to enhance farmers’ income
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Ensuring fair prices for farm produce
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Providing timely compensation for losses
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Encouraging agricultural diversification including horticulture, fisheries, and animal husbandry
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Promoting natural farming and balanced fertiliser use for sustainability
10-Year Growth in Production
The Minister shared remarkable growth in crop yields over the past decade:
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Foodgrain Production: Increased from 246.42 million tonnes to 353.96 million tonnes
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Pulses: From 16.38 to 25.24 million tonnes
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Oilseeds: From 27.51 to 42.61 million tonnes
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Horticulture: From 280.70 to 367.72 million tonnes
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Milk Production: Noted a substantial rise, driven entirely by farmers
Doubling Farmers’ Income and Budget Allocation
Shri Chouhan stated that under the NDA government, many farmers have more than doubled their incomes, citing:
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Agriculture budget rose from ₹27,000 crore (UPA era) to ₹1.27 lakh crore
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PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi now benefits 10 crore farmers
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Fertiliser subsidy allocation is nearly ₹2 lakh crore annually
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Institutional agricultural credit rose from ₹7 lakh crore to ₹25 lakh crore
Crop Insurance Reforms Under PMFBY
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has disbursed ₹1.83 lakh crore in claims directly to farmers against collected premiums of ₹35,000 crore.
To enhance accountability, the scheme now mandates:
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12% interest payable to farmers for delayed insurance payments by companies
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Equal penalty for state governments delaying their premium contributions
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Use of YESTECH (remote-sensing tech) for accurate crop loss assessments
MSP Doubled, Procurement Reaches Record Highs
The Minister highlighted record hikes in Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) since 2013–14. Key comparisons include:
| Crop | 2013–14 MSP (₹/quintal) | 2025 MSP (₹/quintal) |
|---|---|---|
| Paddy | 1,310 | 2,369 |
| Bajra | 1,250 | 2,775 |
| Ragi | 1,500 | 4,886 |
| Tur | 4,300 | 8,000 |
| Urad | 4,300 | 7,800 |
| Moong | 4,500 | 8,768 |
| Soybean | 2,560 | 5,328 |
| Sesame | 4,500 | 9,846 |
| Cotton | 3,700 | 7,710 |
Procurement of pulses increased from just 6 lakh metric tonnes under UPA to 1.82 crore metric tonnes under the NDA.
Support for Tenant and Small Farmers
The central government has introduced provisions allowing tenant farmers and sharecroppers to avail PMFBY benefits through landowner authorization. Over 41.62 lakh farmers, including 6.55 lakh tenants, have been covered so far.
Market Support and PM-AASHA Implementation
The PM-AASHA scheme is being used to procure tur, masoor, and urad at full MSP to protect farmers from market exploitation. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fair procurement practices.
Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Growth
Efforts are ongoing to promote:
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Drip and sprinkler irrigation under ‘Per Drop More Crop’
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Investments in greenhouses, polyhouses
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Balanced fertiliser usage to preserve soil health
Conclusion: A Vision for Farmer-Centric Growth
Concluding his remarks, Shri Chouhan asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains deeply committed to the welfare of India’s farmers. The government continues to focus on income enhancement, insurance reforms, technology integration, and holistic rural development.
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Source: PIB
