Bhubaneswar, May 19: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated on Tuesday that Eastern India has the potential to become the growth engine for the country’s agricultural development. He emphasized the importance of integrated farming, pulses, oilseeds, and sustainable agriculture.
While inaugurating the Eastern Regional Agricultural Conference at the Mayfair Convention in Bhubaneswar, the minister highlighted that this event is not merely a formal gathering but a platform for serious discussions aimed at redefining the agricultural landscape, farmer livelihoods, and regional agricultural strategies in Eastern India. He called for making agriculture in the region more productive, sustainable, scientific, and profitable.
In his address, Chouhan referred to farmers not just as food providers but as life-givers, stating that serving farmers is akin to worshiping God. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country is moving towards becoming a developed, self-reliant, prosperous, and powerful nation, with agriculture as its backbone.
He outlined three primary goals for farmers: ensuring food security for 1.4 billion citizens, providing nutritious food, and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods and income.
Chouhan stressed the urgent need to increase production, reduce costs, ensure fair prices for yields, provide compensation for losses, and diversify agriculture. He specifically mentioned that relying solely on rice and wheat is insufficient; there is immense potential in pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, and other high-value crops in Eastern India.
He acknowledged that small landholdings are a significant reality in Eastern states and emphasized that integrated farming should not just be a slogan but a practical model. By combining grain production with fruits, vegetables, aquaculture, livestock, beekeeping, and agroforestry, small farmers can significantly increase their income.
During the event, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi remarked that the Eastern Regional Agricultural Conference is a crucial opportunity to develop a shared roadmap for the agricultural future of Eastern states. He expressed gratitude to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for this significant initiative, stating that the conference will empower the vision of ‘Purvodaya’ and provide new energy to agricultural productivity, climate-smart farming, and inclusive agricultural development in Eastern India.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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