Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the Centre will introduce new agricultural laws to provide farmers with strong legal protection against exploitation, warning of strict action against those supplying spurious seeds, fertilisers, and counterfeit pesticides.
Chouhan made the remarks during a one-day visit to Chhattisgarh, interacting with farmers in Girhola and Khapri villages of Durg district. “The hard work of farmers, their crops and their future cannot be compromised under any circumstances. The Centre has moved decisively towards strict and punitive action against elements causing losses to farmers through fake seeds, spurious fertilisers and counterfeit pesticides,” he said.
He added that those involved in supplying fake agricultural inputs were not merely committing economic offences but betraying farmers’ trust. “New agricultural laws will soon be introduced in Parliament to provide a strong legal shield for farmers,” Chouhan said, emphasising the government’s commitment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the welfare and holistic development of farmers.
During his visit, the minister inspected nurseries, farmlands, and agricultural units, reviewing crop cycles, horticulture practices, irrigation systems, seed production, and the adoption of modern farming techniques. In Girhola village, he planted a mango sapling, highlighting environmental conservation and green development, and urged farmers to adopt horticulture and tree-based farming alongside traditional crops.
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At Khapri village, Chouhan held a ‘Kisan Chaupal’ with local farmers. He noted that Chhattisgarh’s cultivators are increasingly combining modern technologies with traditional practices, boosting productivity and incomes. Crop diversification, particularly into horticulture and vegetable cultivation, has delivered higher returns compared to paddy farming, he said, describing diversification as the “need of the hour.”
Chouhan also highlighted central schemes supporting farmers. Financial assistance is provided under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, crops are insured through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and innovation and productivity are promoted under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Modern tools such as drone technology and the Digital Agriculture Mission are being deployed for crop monitoring, pesticide spraying, and cost reduction.
He urged farmers to adopt natural farming, micro-irrigation, and water conservation practices, calling these the future of agriculture. Reiterating the Centre’s commitment, Chouhan expressed confidence that strong policies, effective laws, modern technology, and farmers’ hard work will drive a new agricultural revolution in Chhattisgarh and across India.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, and other officials accompanied the Union minister.
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