Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said – the ban on rice export has been removed in the interest of farmers, the backbone of the country’s farmer economy,
A team of 52 scientists has been formed to solve the problems of the farmers
New Delhi, January 26, 2026 : On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with the farmers from different parts of the country who participated as special guests in the parade organized at Kartavya Path in New Delhi today at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Pusa, New Delhi. Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Bhagirath Chaudhary and Shri Ramnath Thakur also participated in the program.
Greeting the farmers on Republic Day, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that India is the mother of democracy. He said that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers are its soul. Farmer brothers and sisters who have come from every corner of the country on the Kartavya Path have seen the Indian might and potential and today the whole world is witnessing the growing power of India. Today India talks with eyes to eye.
Shri Chouhan said that this year three farmers have also been awarded Padma awards, which is a symbol of respect and contribution of the farmers of the country. He said that as Agriculture Minister, serving the farmers is like worshipping God for him. Chouhan said that the government has taken many decisions in the interest of farmers. Efforts are being made to increase production and to give them a fair cost. Chouhan informed that now the government is making full purchase of pulses. He said that the government is also working towards including crop loss due to wild animals or crop loss due to water or floods in the crop insurance scheme. Apart from this, to protect the interest of the farmers, import duty of up to 30% has been imposed on pulses coming from outside so that our farmers can get a fair price for pulses.
The Union Minister said that India today ranks first in rice production in the world and has overtaken China. This is a huge achievement. Sh. Chouhan informed that the system of Minimum Export Price (MEP) on export of rice has been done away with so that farmers can export their rice easily. Its positive results are also visible and this time farmers are getting good prices for rice.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the ‘Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ will be started once again. In order to implement the suggestions received last year, 52 teams have been formed by ICAR with an aim to increase production and productivity by providing scientific support to the farmers.
He said that work is being done to create ‘Farmer ID’ for the farmers, so that paper processes can be simplified. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, if the claim amount is not paid within 22 days, then there is a provision to give 12 percent interest to the farmers.
Shri Chouhan informed that the government is going to bring the Pesticide Act and Seed Bill in the upcoming session of Parliament, in which the penal provisions will be made more stringent. Under this, a fine of up to Rs 30 lakh will be provided.
He said that the government is committed to promote integrated farming and the Union Agriculture Ministry is committed to make small land holdings profitable as well. He said that farming will be left only after making it a profitable profession.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Ramnath Thakur said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Indian farmer brothers and sisters are making unprecedented progress. At the same time, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Bhagirath Chaudhary said that remarkable work is being done in the agriculture sector by considering the Prime Minister’s mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas’ as a resolution. He said that the government is promoting natural farming and organic farming and is working towards making the country a developed nation by making the farmers prosperous and happy.
In the program, Smt. Anita Kumari, a farmer from Haryana, who has done exemplary work in the field of natural farming, and Shri Rajesh Pal, a farmer from Madhya Pradesh, presented the problems and suggestions of the farmers before the Union Minister. Shri Ganesh Kumar Gupta, a farmer from Bihar also shared his views on behalf of the farmers.
Union Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi and Director General of ICAR, Dr. M.L. Jat were also present on the occasion.
