Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating agricultural growth, setting a target to maintain a 5% annual growth rate in the sector. Speaking at the Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and Directors of ICAR Institutes, Chouhan emphasized the importance of research, education, and extension as the three fundamental pillars driving agricultural innovation and farmer prosperity.
Chouhan reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy, directly or indirectly supporting nearly 50% of the population and contributing 18% to the country’s GDP. He stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) is deeply linked to “Developed Agriculture and Prosperous Farmers (Viksit Krishi aur Samruddh Kisan).”
The Agriculture Minister underscored the urgency of modernizing farming methods and ensuring that all agricultural institutions, including 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), align with the vision of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team.” He highlighted the importance of bridging productivity gaps across states, noting that crop yields vary significantly, with maize performing better in Tamil Nadu than in Uttar Pradesh. Standardizing productivity levels across regions remains a key focus area.
With India aiming to become a $5 trillion economy, Chouhan stressed that the agriculture sector must contribute $1 trillion toward achieving this milestone. Agricultural exports, which currently account for 6%, are expected to be raised to 20% by leveraging modern technology. He emphasized that research must be translated into direct benefits for farmers, ensuring practical implementation.
Recognizing that land holdings in India are continuously shrinking, with an expected average decline to 0.6 hectares by 2047, Chouhan outlined the need for diversification beyond traditional food grain production. He emphasized the expansion of allied sectors such as beekeeping, animal husbandry, fisheries, and horticulture.
In a major development, the government has allocated funding for a new gene bank, enabling advancements in genome editing for crops. Researchers have already developed two improved varieties of rice using this technique, with similar efforts underway to enhance the production of soybeans, pulses, black gram, chickpeas, and pigeon peas.
Chouhan emphasized the importance of sustainable farming, addressing concerns about maximizing yield with minimal water per hectare. The government has set short-term and long-term goals for agricultural advancements, ensuring swift implementation of modern techniques.
With a strong focus on research-led growth, technological adaptation, and institutional coordination, India’s agriculture sector is poised to play a pivotal role in the country’s long-term economic vision, reinforcing food security and farmer prosperity.
