Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Emphasises Crop Diversification and Natural Farming at Khet Bachao Abhiyaan and Kisan Chaupal at ICAR-ISRI, Lucknow

3 November 2026, Lucknow

ICAR–Indian Sugarcane Research Institute, Lucknow, organised Khet Bachao Abhiyaan and Kisan Chaupal today with the participation of Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, as the Chief Guest.

In his presidential address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed the importance of crop diversification and the adoption of natural farming practices. He encouraged farmers to use Jeevamrit (organic liquid manure) and Beejamrit (organic seed treatment) and cautioned against the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which adversely affect soil health. He advised farmers to apply fertilisers based on soil testing and expressed concern over the declining earthworm population, emphasising the need to promote natural farming. During the Kisan Chaupal, he also interacted with farmers and appreciated the institute's research contributions towards farmers' welfare.

Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Cabinet Minister for Agriculture, Agricultural Education and Agricultural Research, Government of Uttar Pradesh, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour.

Addressing the farmers, Shri Surya Pratap Shahi emphasised the importance of intercropping wheat, potato and oilseeds with sugarcane to enhance farm income. Highlighting India's progress in agricultural production, he noted that the country had transformed from a food-importing nation into a food-grain exporter and was providing free food grains to 80 crore people. He also highlighted the growth in domestic pulses production, which has reached 34–35 lakh metric tonnes, and urged farmers to focus on improving soil fertility.

During the interaction, farmers, including Shri Hemant Nirala, Shri Pradeep Dwivedi, Shri Shivam Mishra, Shri Ravindra Nath Verma, Shri Shiv Kumar and Smt. Sarita Devi, shared their farming experiences and insights with the Union Minister. Advanced sugarcane cultivation techniques were also demonstrated on the occasion, attracting considerable interest from the participating farmers.

Speaking at the programme, Dr S.N. Sushil, Director, ICAR-ISRI, Lucknow, encouraged farmers to enhance agricultural productivity and income through the adoption of improved sugarcane varieties, advanced farm machinery, improved production technologies and intercropping practices.

The programme witnessed the participation of around 4,000 farmers and farm women from 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Hardoi, Sitapur, Jhansi, Barabanki, Kanpur Dehat, Raebareli, Unnao and Lakhimpur Kheri, along with scientists and State Government officials.

As part of the programme, Dr S.N. Sushil distributed wheat, mustard, gram and lentil seeds to 385 farmers belonging to Scheduled Caste communities from Jhansi, Hardoi and Lucknow districts.

Additionally, 30 exhibition stalls were set up by various ICAR institutes based in Lucknow, the State Agriculture Department, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and non-governmental organisations to showcase agricultural technologies, innovations and farmer-oriented initiatives.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Sugarcane Research Institute, Lucknow)