Latest news with #UnionAgricultureandFarmers'Welfare
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Steps on to take number of 'Lakhpati Didis' to 2 crore by Aug 15: Chouhan
Nearly 1.5 crore women have already become 'Lakhpati Didis' in India and the Centre is making efforts to raise the figure to 2 crore by August 15, Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said. 'Lakhpati Didi' refers to a woman member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) who earns an income of ₹1 lakh or more per year. Mr. Chouhan on Saturday (July 19, 2025) visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh town of Gujarat, where he reviewed its activities and interacted with farmers and Lakhpati Didis of SHGs, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a release. In his address, Mr. Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a resolve to make every woman a Lakhpati Didi. "Why should any woman remain poor? This campaign is being run across India. Till now, 1.5 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis and my department is constantly taking steps to make 2 crore women Lakhpati Didis by August 15," he said. In Junagadh, there are women who are already earning more than ₹10 lakh per year, the Minister pointed out. "Women living in rural areas have proven that they can do wonders if they are provided with opportunity, training and bank linkage. These women are the true torchbearers of 'Vocal for Local'. I am confident that these women will build a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) as envisioned by PM Modi," said the Minister, who also handles the rural development portfolio. Mr. Chouhan lauded women for their contribution in this regard. "Keep pushing forward with courage. PM Modi himself stands with you to ensure all possible support. Plans are underway to increase women's participation in the industrial sector. The hard work of women will help build a Viksit Bharat as envisioned by the PM," he said. Stating that agriculture is still the backbone of Indian economy and for him, the Union minister said serving farmers is equal to worshipping God. "I don't just sit in my Delhi office. Instead, I visit agricultural fields, interact with farmers and try to provide a solution to their problems. Our PM also gives highest priority to agriculture," Mr. Chouhan said in his address. Earlier on Saturday (July 19, 2025), Mr. Chouhan offered prayers at the famous Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district and visited the Devaliya Safari Park near Gir National Park at Sasan.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt aiming to take number of 'Lakhpati Didis' to 20 mn by Aug 15: Chouhan
Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said 1.5 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis in India and his ministry is aiming to take the figure to 20 million by August 15. 'Lakhpati Didi' refers to a woman member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) who earns an income of Rs 1 lakh or more per year. Chouhan visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Directorate of Groundnut Research in Junagadh town of Gujarat, where he reviewed its activities and interacted with farmers and Lakhpati Didis of SHGs, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a release. In his address, Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a resolve to make every woman a Lakhpati Didi. "Why should any woman remain poor? This campaign is being run across India. Till now, 1.5 crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis and my department is constantly taking steps to make 20 million women Lakhpati Didis by August 15," he said. In Junagadh, there are women who are already earning more than Rs 10 lakh per year, he said. "Women living in rural areas have proven that they can do wonders if they are provided with some opportunity, training and bank linkage. These women are the true torchbearers of 'Vocal for Local'. I am confident that these women will build a Viksit Bharat as envisioned by PM Modi," said the minister, who also handles the Rural Development portfolio. Chouhan lauded women for their contribution. "Keep pushing forward with courage. PM Modi himself stands with you to ensure all possible support. Plans are underway to increase women's participation in the industrial sector. The hard work of women will help build a Viksit Bharat as envisioned by the PM," he said. Stating that agriculture is still the backbone of Indian economy and for him, the Union minister said serving farmers is equal to worshipping God. "I don't just sit at my Delhi office. Instead, I visit agricultural fields, interact with farmers and try to provide a solution to their problems. Our PM also gives highest priority to agriculture," he said in his address. Earlier during the day, Chouhan offered prayers at the famous Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district and then visited Devaliya Safari Park near Gir National Park at Sasan.
India Gazette
13-07-2025
- India Gazette
States directed to take strict actions against substandard fertilisers
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, 'directing immediate and strict action' against the issue of counterfeit and substandard fertilizers. The letter has been issued with the objective of curbing the sale of fake fertilizers, black marketing of subsidized fertilizers, and illegal activities such as forced tagging across the country, a statement from the Union Ministry said. In the letter, the Union Minister emphasised that agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and to ensure stability in farmers' income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilizers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality. He also highlighted that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. In the letter, Union Minister directed states to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers at the right places and locations where it is required. Therefore, States must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidised fertilisers, the letter highlighted. The Minister directed that Regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sale, as well as strict control over counterfeit and substandard products through sampling and testing, must be carried out. He added in the letter that forced tagging of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilisers should be stopped immediately. The letter added that a strict legal action, including cancellation of licenses and registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure conviction. States have been directed to develop feedback and information systems to involve farmers/farmer groups in the monitoring process and to make special efforts to educate farmers on identifying genuine and counterfeit products, the Minister added as per the statement by the Ministry. In addition, The Minister urged all States to launch a statewide campaign in accordance with the above directions to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots. He further stated that regular monitoring of this work at the State level would lead to an effective and sustainable solution in the interest of farmers. (ANI)
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Deve Gowda writes to PM seeking procurement of mangoes by NAFED to bail out Karnataka growers
Former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking that the Centre instruct National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) to procure mangoes under the price deficiency payment (PDP) and market intervention scheme (MIS) to bail out Karnataka's mango growers who are in distress due to crash in prices of the produce. In separate, but similarly worded, letters dated June 22, Mr. Gowda brought the plight of mango growers to the knowledge of both Mr. Modi and Mr. Chouhan and said that mango was one of the major horticultural crops in Karnataka, cultivated over an area of 1.39 lakh hectares, particularly in Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chickballapur, Kolar, and Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) districts, with an estimated production of eight lakh to 10 lakh tonnes during the rabi season. However, due to weather vagaries and diseases, the mango yield has dropped to less than 30% this year, he pointed out. 'From May to June this year, heavy arrivals caused unsustainable price fluctuations. Prices fell from ₹12,000 per quintal to ₹3,000 per quintal, while the cultivation cost itself is ₹5,466 per quintal. This has financially stressed farmers, with many small and marginal mango growers unable to cover basic costs, leading to protests,' Mr. Gowda said. He expressed concern that Andhra Pradesh's ban on Totapuri mango varieties entering Chittoor district, adjacent to Karnataka, has disrupted the supply chain and resulted in a risk of post-harvest losses for Karnataka's border area mango growers. This has created tension among the mango growers, leading to protests in many districts, especially in Kolar and Chickballapur, he pointed out. The Chief Minister of Karnataka and the Chief Secretary have asked Andhra Pradesh to revoke this ban immediately. Additionally, the State government has requested the Centre to start procurement through Central agencies such as NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd. to aid farmers and alleviate rural distress, he noted. 'I request the Central government to instruct NAFED to procure mangoes under the PDP and MIS. This will support farmers by ensuring fair prices through direct purchases from farmers and through farmer producer organisations (FPOs),' he said. 'I trust that the Central government will promptly take appropriate actions to support Karnataka's mango growers by providing adequate financial benefits under various schemes,' he said.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Union Minister Shivaji Chouhan launches ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' in Puri, lauds Odisha's initiatives
BHUBANESWAR: Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday called upon people to join the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' which aims to create awareness among farmers about modern technologies through scientific outreach and sustainable practices for higher productivity. Launching a nationwide campaign from Sakhigopal in Puri district in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo, Chouhan said the joint initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is a concrete step towards transforming Indian agriculture and securing the food future of the country through scientific innovation and grassroots participation. 'This campaign will adopt a two-way communication approach. On one hand, scientists will share research and technical information with farmers, while on the other hand, they will gather information about the challenges faced by farmers. These findings will help guide future research efforts and provide practical, location-specific solutions. To connect 'Lab to Land', scientists of ICAR and Krishi Vigyan Kendras will be associated with this fortnight-long campaign,' the Union minister said.
