New Livelihood Initiative Launched in Raisen and Vidisha, Aims to Empower Every Family

Bhopal, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Central Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced a new pilot project during his visit to his parliamentary constituency in Vidisha on Friday. The initiative, launching in Raisen and Vidisha, aims to connect every family in rural areas with at least one sustainable source of income.

Chouhan made these remarks at an event celebrating Women Farmers’ Day in Sanchi, where he also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for 46 roads under the Prime Minister’s Rural Road Scheme. He emphasized that the goal of this project is to eradicate poverty in villages and develop sustainable income sources for families.

“Freedom from poverty cannot be achieved merely through assistance,” he stated. “It requires providing families with employment and income opportunities.” The initiative will focus on agriculture, value addition to agricultural products, processing, animal husbandry, goat farming, fish farming, and small businesses. Chouhan stressed that every family should have a means of income, highlighting the critical role of women farmers in this campaign.

He noted that women play a vital role in agriculture, contributing significantly from fieldwork to animal care and milk production. Despite their contributions, many women lack formal recognition as farmers. Chouhan pledged to advocate for their formal identification, stating, “Sisters who work the fields with their hands are farmers, and we will strive to give them the recognition they deserve.”

The minister further explained that a farmer’s identity should not be defined solely by land ownership but by their actual contributions to farming. He pointed out that a landowner who does not participate in farming cannot be compared to someone who works diligently in the fields.

Chouhan also highlighted the importance of diversifying agricultural activities, including the cultivation of grains, fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, animal husbandry, fish farming, and poultry. He reiterated that women are integral to these activities, performing tasks such as caring for cows and buffaloes, milking, and managing fodder, thus deserving recognition and respect for their hard work.