Bhopal, April 13: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressed the closing session of the ‘Advanced Agriculture Festival 2026′ in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday. He presented an ambitious vision to transform Indian agriculture by integrating modern technology, infrastructure development, water conservation, and alternative energy sources.
The three-day national-level agricultural festival, organized at the Dashahara Maidan in Raisen under the initiative of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, concluded with great enthusiasm. Thousands of farmers participated, showcasing innovations in modern farming, agricultural machinery, and practical solutions.
Also present at the event were Union Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, and other dignitaries.
During his address, Gadkari announced a new package of road development initiatives in response to demands raised by Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He approved the acceleration of the Raisen Ring Road and Eastern Bypass proposals, which include preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR), expediting land acquisition by the state government, and beautifying bridges.
He assured full support for other pending road-related projects in the region. Gadkari emphasized that the future of farming lies in modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, automated weather stations, satellite data, drones, and nano-urea.
He urged farmers to adapt to changing times, stating that knowledge is the greatest power, and transforming that knowledge into wealth is crucial for Indian agriculture. He encouraged farmers to adopt innovation and technology to achieve higher yields at lower costs.
Gadkari envisioned a broader role for farmers beyond being mere food producers. He suggested that income sources could be generated from agricultural residues, crop stubble, and biomass through ethanol, CNG, hydrogen, aviation fuel, and bitumen, which would reduce imports and strengthen the rural economy.
Highlighting the importance of water conservation, Gadkari stated, “Slow down the flow of running water, stop moving water, and use stagnant water to recharge the land.” He advocated for the principle of keeping village water in the village, field water in the fields, and household water at home, comparing groundwater recharge to depositing money in a bank.
He also stressed the significance of dairy farming, fish farming, and the blue economy in increasing farmers’ incomes. Gadkari noted that merely increasing production is not enough; strong infrastructure, including processing units, cold storage, pre-cooling facilities, and value addition, is essential to ensure farmers receive fair prices.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the ‘Advanced Agriculture Festival’ as not just an event, but the beginning of a new chapter in agricultural transformation. He announced a comprehensive roadmap from seed to market, tailored to the region’s soil, climate, and resources.
The plan aims to develop the area as a major center for horticulture while also expanding pulse cultivation. A special task force and a national-level operational committee will oversee its implementation, with central and state teams working in collaboration.
Chouhan urged farmers to obtain a ‘Farmer ID’ to easily access various schemes and services in the future. He assured that the government is fully committed to making farming profitable and improving the lives of farmers.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several 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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