Indore: Speaking at a press conference in Indore, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that a developed agriculture sector and prosperous farmers are fundamental to a developed India. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has now emerged as the fourth-largest economy in the world, and agriculture continues to serve as the backbone of inclusive national growth.
Lab-to-Land Approach to Bridge the Research-Field Gap
Highlighting a transformative policy shift, Shri Chouhan announced that the government has launched a robust ‘Lab-to-Land’ model as part of the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, aiming to connect agricultural research directly with field-level realities. Despite India having more than 16,000 agricultural scientists, he acknowledged that a disconnect has persisted between academic research and its real-world implementation.
To close this gap, 2,170 expert teams interacted with over 13.5 million farmers across the country, gathering practical inputs and feedback on pressing agrarian issues.
“Research will no longer be dictated from Delhi boardrooms. It will emerge from farmer consultations in the fields,” Shri Chouhan affirmed.
Decentralized, Crop-Specific Consultations to Set Research Agenda
The Union Minister stressed a farmer-centric, decentralized research model. Citing the diverse agro-climatic needs of Indian agriculture, he announced that crop-specific regional consultations will be held to tailor research priorities.
- Coimbatore will host discussions on cotton,
- Meerut will focus on sugarcane, and
- Kanpur will be the hub for pulses.
These consultations aim to gather localized knowledge, engage progressive farmers, and align scientific research with on-ground challenges and innovations.
Soybean in Focus: Increasing Productivity and Protein Utilization
At the Indore conference, Shri Chouhan placed a special focus on soybean, one of India’s key protein crops. He revealed that food grain production has increased by 44% over the past 11 years, and further productivity gains will now be driven through innovation in seed technology and crop management.
Among the key strategies discussed:
- Use of genome editing techniques to develop high-yield, disease-resistant varieties.
- Research to prevent root rot and other soil-borne diseases.
- Promotion of mechanization to address agricultural labor shortages.
- Development of seed treatment and rapid disease identification methods.
“Soybean is a protein powerhouse. We must enhance its value chain—from seed to soymeal exports and processed products like tofu and soy milk,” he said.
Shri Chouhan also praised progressive farmers achieving yields of 20 quintals per acre, stating that their field-tested practices will be studied and scaled up nationally.
Addressing Seed and Pesticide Quality Concerns
A key outcome of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan interactions was the identification of issues with seed quality and pesticide usage. In response, the ministry convened a detailed workshop with agricultural universities, farmers, and industry stakeholders to chart a plan for:
- Strengthening seed certification systems.
- Ensuring timely and affordable seed availability.
- Monitoring the sale and quality of agrochemicals.
Towards a Unified, Inclusive Agricultural Strategy Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team.”
He urged all stakeholders—including scientists, farmers, agri-businesses, and policymakers—to work collectively to ensure sustainable, inclusive, and tech-enabled growth in Indian agriculture.
A Future-Ready Vision for Indian Farming
The minister concluded with a strong reaffirmation of India’s resolve to modernize agriculture while keeping farmers at the centre of every decision.
“India’s agriculture will grow not just through science, but through synergy—of labs, lands, and lives,” Shri Chouhan said.
As the country prepares for a new era in agriculture, the strategic vision laid out by the Union Agriculture Minister stands as a blueprint for a resilient, productive, and farmer-led rural economy—one that fuels India’s rise as a truly developed nation.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
Foor more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
