Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held pre-budget consultations with stakeholders at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today. During this meeting, along with farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, various organizations related to agriculture, Farmer Producer Association and other stakeholders gave various important suggestions. In the meeting, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that we will meticulously review all the suggestions received and inform the Finance Minister and Shri Chouhan added that we will continue to communicate with all stakeholder related to the agriculture sector.

In the meeting, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is also doing a meticulous study internally so that its proposals regarding the budget can be given to the Finance Ministry soon. Shri Chouhan added that various old schemes are also being reviewed. Today, the suggestions given by farmers and other organizations as well as various stakeholders are important because these people gain experience while working in the field, which is useful for the benefit of farming. Many suggestions have been received from these people regarding value addition in the agricultural sector, increasing facilities for exporters of agricultural produce, expanding agricultural research, controlling the price and quality of agricultural inputs, ensuring that farmers do not suffer losses etc.

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated 109 new crop varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to the nation. To further help farmers, the government is exploring new ideas, like organizing Kisan Panchayat, as successfully done in Madhya Pradesh during Shri Chouhan's tenure as Chief Minister.

Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare  Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi along with senior officials of the Ministry,  ICAR and officials and representatives of various organizations including NABARD, CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce, ASSOCHAM, State Bank of India and Soybean Processors Association of India were present in the meeting.

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