Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday urged farmers in Punjab to adopt crop diversification, stating it is essential to grow crops that are both profitable and water-efficient.
During his visit to Gandia Kheri village in Rajpura, Patiala, as part of the Centre’s Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Chouhan interacted with farmers and praised their innovative agricultural practices, including direct seeding of rice, mushroom farming, and silage preparation. He said such methods serve as examples for other farmers across the country.
Chouhan was joined by Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal, and scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Highlighting the importance of dialogue in solving agricultural issues, Chouhan said, “The solution to farmers' issues lies in discussions. That’s why this campaign brings scientists directly to the fields.”
He stressed that scientific research must align with farmers' on-ground challenges and called for more field-focused research. The union minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a target that crop output should increase, input cost should drop, farmers should get remunerative prices for their crops and they should be compensated if they suffer any loss.
Referring to his interaction with the farmers, Chouhan said he was impressed by the direct seeding of rice technique being used by farmers and said he would like to urge other farmers to opt for DSR for less water consumption.
"I have been apprised of good crop practices, be it direct seeding, mushroom farming, making silage," he said. About the nationwide campaign -- ''Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', Chouhan said he was meeting farmers to understand their issues.
He emphasised that the research of agricultural scientists should reach farmers and scientists should know what problems farmers are facing at their fields so that research should be undertaken in that regard.
Under the campaign, he said scientists are going amongst farmers and informing them which crops are better for them, considering the agro-climatic conditions in their respective areas.
Replying to a question, Chouhan said the crop diversification programme is the need of the hour. "We should grow crops which give profit as well as consume less water," he said.
Earlier, he asked farmers to make experiments with fruits, vegetables and other crops. "Crop diversification is an important issue. And what are those crops which can generate more income? I am not saying that wheat and paddy will not be sown. That will be grown. We can make experiments towards growing mushrooms, fruits and vegetables," he told farmers.
Applauding Punjab’s significant role in national food security, Chouhan said, “The country has achieved record production in wheat, paddy, maize, and soybean this year. Punjab has played a major role in this success.”
On the issue of water resources, Chouhan referred to the Central Government’s recent move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. He stated that India will now work to utilise the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers for the benefit of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
“It was never justified to give 80 per cent of our river water to Pakistan. That water belongs to our farmers,” he asserted.
Chouhan also addressed concerns over counterfeit pesticides, announcing that the Centre is preparing a new law to impose strict penalties on companies found guilty of producing or distributing fake agrochemicals.
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