Union Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development Interacts with Farmers at ICAR–KVK, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

25 October 2025, Vellore

Reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to farmer welfare and sustainable agriculture, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vellore, functioning under the administrative control of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, today.

During his visit, the Minister interacted with around 500 farmers and beneficiaries representing various flagship schemes, including the PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, National Pulses Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming, Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on Pulses, and Demonstrations on Fermented Organic Manure and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure. The Minister engaged directly with farmers to understand the benefits derived from these programmes, field-level challenges, and their suggestions for advancing agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. He also visited exhibition stalls set up by various stakeholders, showcasing innovative technologies, success stories, and best practices.

The interaction was held through two “Kisan Choupals.”

In Choupal–1, the Minister interacted with PM-DDKY farmers from Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram districts. Highlighting the integrated approach of PM-DDKY, Shri Chouhan noted that the scheme converges 36 Central Government programmes across 11 ministries to provide comprehensive support to farmers. He lauded the efforts of KVKs and local institutions in aligning these initiatives for maximum impact. Farmers practicing natural farming, Mundu chilli cultivation, and those participating in CFLD initiatives on oilseeds and pulses shared their successful experiences during the session.

In Choupal–2, the Minister underscored the significance of the National Pulses Mission in achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production. He emphasized that Tamil Nadu, being a pulse-deficit state, can benefit immensely from improved pulse varieties, better crop management practices, value addition, and enhanced marketing support. Shri Chouhan also appreciated the contributions of the National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban, for developing high-yielding pulse varieties suitable for regional conditions.

Addressing farmers’ concerns, the Minister assured that the Central Government would extend necessary support to tackle pest and disease issues in coconut cultivation and mitigate challenges arising from excess mango production by promoting value addition and processing industries. He further announced that efforts are underway to expand the coverage of the PM-KISAN scheme in Tamil Nadu to ensure inclusion of all eligible farmers.

Expressing admiration for Tamil Nadu’s farmers, Shri Chouhan commended their hard work, strong cultural values, and dedication to agriculture. He conveyed his deep appreciation for the farming community of the state and assured that he would revisit Tamil Nadu soon to continue discussions on Natural Farming and other agricultural initiatives.

The event was graced by Dr. R. Thamizh Vendan, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU; Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director, ICAR–ATARI, Hyderabad; Ms. D. Inita, Joint Secretary, Government of India; Directors of Extension Education from TNAU and TANUVAS; senior officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry; scientists from KVKs; and representatives from ICAR institutes.

The interaction reflected the Union Government’s continued commitment to farmer-centric policies, convergence of development schemes, and promotion of sustainable, technology-driven agriculture in Tamil Nadu and across the nation.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone-X, Hyderabad)