Central Government Committed to Empower the Farmers: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

2 January 2026, Nashik

The “Kisan Samvad” programme was held today at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), YCMOU, Nashik. During the programme, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, interacted with farmers and agricultural officials, addressed key issues related to farming, and discussed the Government of India’s latest farmer-centric policies.

During his address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, noted that under the leadership of the PM Shri Narendra Modi, several initiatives are being implemented to empower small and marginal farmers and rural households across the country. He stated that the Union Government is working towards convergence of various development and welfare schemes of the Department of Agriculture and allied departments such as Irrigation and Animal Husbandry, along with the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

During his interaction, Shri Chouhan emphasized key government priorities and highlighted that the Viksit Bharat G RAM G scheme ensures up to 125 days of employment for the rural workforce, with a focus on farmer-centric activities that strengthen agricultural and rural infrastructure.

The Union Minister further stated that, to ensure better financial returns to farmers, the Government will provide assistance for establishing processing units to add value to agricultural produce. The Honourable Minister assured support to States for setting up both primary and secondary processing centres.

During the programme, Shri Chouhan visited exhibition stalls set up by KVK beneficiaries, farmer entrepreneurs, and Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), distributed tractor keys to beneficiaries under the State Agricultural Department’s mechanization scheme, and planted a Bahawa (Golden Shower) tree in the KVK campus. He also launched ‘Yash Micro-Nutrients Grade-2’, a liquid micronutrient formulation standardized by the State Agricultural University and manufactured by KVK, YCMOU, Nashik, for district-wide use, and felicitated Mrs. Vaishali Udar, a tribal woman entrepreneur, honouring her as “Mushroom Didi.” Prior to his address, the Minister interacted with farmers who raised issues related to processing facilities for tribal produce, support for protected cultivation, enhanced farm mechanization, and timely payment for onion procurement by government agencies.

The programme was attended by Dr. Sanjeev Sonawane, Vice-Chancellor, YCMOU; Dr. Jogendra Singh Bisen, Pro Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Rajshree Roy Burman, Assistant Director General, ICAR; and Dr. S. K. Roy, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Pune.
The farmers expressed appreciation for the Government’s initiatives and actively engaged in the interaction by sharing their experiences and concerns.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune)