Shivraj Unites Agriculture Sector Behind ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’

• Shivraj Singh Chouhan administered ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ pledge at Pusa campus.
• Focus on higher farm production, food processing and global market access.
• Government targets creation of six crore Lakhpati Didis across rural India.
• Officials, farmers, scientists and FPOs urged to work together for Viksit Bharat.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Aug: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday called upon the entire agriculture and rural development ecosystem to work collectively towards implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ vision, saying it would pave the way for a prosperous, self-reliant India and help realise the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Addressing a commitment programme organised at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium, Pusa, Chouhan administered a collective pledge to officials, scientists, farmers, Lakhpati Didis, food processors, exporters and representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), urging them to contribute actively to nation-building.

The Union Minister said agriculture and food processing are central pillars of the Prime Minister’s vision and stressed that India must focus not only on increasing agricultural production but also on improving quality, food safety and compliance with global standards to expand exports.

He said Indian agriculture must move beyond production and ensure greater value addition through food processing, branding, packaging and exports, enabling farmers to earn higher incomes while strengthening India’s presence in international markets.

Calling for stronger coordination among stakeholders, Chouhan said farmers, scientists, officials, processors, exporters and FPOs must function as equal partners to build a globally competitive agricultural ecosystem.

Highlighting the importance of regional planning, he advocated separate agricultural roadmaps for every state and district based on local climate, soil, water resources and cropping patterns. He also stressed wider adoption of modern technologies, mechanisation, artificial intelligence, improved seeds and scientific farming practices to increase productivity while reducing cultivation costs.

The Minister reiterated that increasing production, lowering input costs, improving quality and ensuring remunerative prices remain the government’s key priorities. He also emphasised the promotion of natural farming, organic farming, irrigation, crop diversification and integrated farming systems.

On rural development, Chouhan announced that after achieving the target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis, the government is now committed to creating six crore Lakhpati Didis by expanding skill development, entrepreneurship, financial assistance and market access for women associated with Self-Help Groups.

He said initiatives such as She-Marts and branding support would help rural women market handicrafts, food products, Ayurvedic products and other traditional goods across India and overseas, strengthening rural livelihoods and women-led economic growth.

Chouhan also stressed the need for continuous monitoring of development schemes at the village level, urging officials to regularly visit the field and ensure that the benefits of government programmes reach intended beneficiaries.

Sharing his “four mantras for success”—”Paanv mein chakkar, munh mein shakkar, seene mein aag aur maathe par barf”—the Minister encouraged officials to remain active, courteous, passionate and patient while discharging their responsibilities.

During the programme, farmers, exporters, Lakhpati Didis and FPO representatives shared their experiences, while the Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Agricultural Research and Education, and Land Resources presented departmental roadmaps aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision.

Concluding the event, Chouhan urged all stakeholders to place “Nation First” above personal interests and work with dedication to transform the vision of Shakti Ki Saptadhara into tangible outcomes for farmers, rural communities and the nation.