Shivraj to Lead ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ Pledge for Viksit Bharat

• Shivraj Singh Chouhan to administer ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ pledge on August 18.
• Meeting to finalise agriculture and rural development roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Expansion of Lakhpati Didi programme to six crore women to be a key focus.
• Farmers, SHG members, exporters and food processors to participate.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Aug: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will administer the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ pledge to officials of both ministries at the Pusa campus in New Delhi on August 18, outlining a roadmap for agriculture and rural development aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The programme follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address, in which he introduced the “Sapt Dhara of Shakti” as a framework for accelerating India’s development. Progressive farmers, Lakhpati Didis, agricultural exporters and food processors will also participate in the event.

Shri Chouhan said the meeting would focus on translating the Prime Minister’s vision into actionable programmes through transparent implementation, stronger monitoring and people-centric governance. The roadmap will cover departmental priorities, measures to strengthen farmers’ welfare and initiatives aimed at boosting rural prosperity.

A major focus of the programme will be the expansion of the Lakhpati Didi initiative. After achieving the milestone of three crore rural women becoming Lakhpati Didis, the government is now working towards the new target of six crore, as announced by the Prime Minister. The meeting will review strategies to accelerate the programme by strengthening self-help groups through skill development, financial assistance and livelihood opportunities.

The minister said women’s economic empowerment remains central to the government’s rural development strategy. He added that initiatives such as She-Marts, announced in the Union Budget, would help women-led enterprises secure better market access while promoting products related to yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts and other rural industries in domestic and international markets.

The discussions will also focus on strengthening agriculture, food processing and exports in line with the Prime Minister’s emphasis on expanding global opportunities for farmers. The roadmap is expected to include measures for enhancing value addition, improving market access and promoting self-reliance in critical sectors such as fertilisers and agricultural inputs.

Officials said the programme is aimed at creating a coordinated strategy for agriculture and rural development that directly benefits farmers, women and rural communities while advancing India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.