Today in Jaipur, the Western Regional Agricultural Conference heralded a strong beginning to a new era of agricultural reforms, where Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid out a clear roadmap on Centre-State partnership, farmers’ income enhancement, food and nutrition security, Farmer ID-based digital agriculture, and flexible scheme implementation. This new series of regional conferences has emerged as a shared ‘action-platform’ for the Centre and states to translate Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sashakt Kisan, Samriddh Bharat’ (Empowered Farmers, Prosperous India) into a ground-level reality.

New framework for comprehensive agricultural development through zonal conferences
Addressing the Western Regional Agricultural Conference organised at Marriott Hotel in Jaipur, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that formal one-day Rabi-Kharif meetings are now being replaced by serious, theme-based regional conferences for different agro-climatic zones. He described the initiation of this new conference series from the soil of Rajasthan as symbolically significant, where agriculture ministers, senior officials, scientists, and progressive farmers from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa gathered on one platform, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma was specially present during the inaugural session.
Union Minister Shri Chouhan clarified that this is not a mere formality, but a comprehensive deliberation effort on the agriculture of the entire western region, which will culminate in concrete conclusions and a ‘to-do list’ roadmap for states to move forward after full-day presentations, videos, and theme-wise discussions.
Three key goals: From food security to nutrition security
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan outlined three primary goals for Indian agriculture - the country’s food security, farmers’ income enhancement, and nutrition security. He said that India’s wheat and rice stocks are so abundant that even storage space poses a challenge, but self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds still needs to be achieved so that food security can be entirely based on the nation’s own production capacity and dependency on imports can be eliminated. He reiterated that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers its soul, therefore enhancing farmers’ income, improving their standard of living, and making farming easier remains the government’s top priority, while also emphasising nutrition security as an essential component of policy to provide nutritious food to the public.
Major glimpse of Farmer ID and Digital Agriculture
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh described Farmer ID as the most useful system for the coming times, stating that everything from bank loans to government assistance will reach farmers quickly and transparently based on a certified digital profile. He informed that in some states, thousands of crores of rupees have been transferred directly to farmers’ accounts in just a few days through Farmer ID, and ahead, sensitive systems like fertiliser distribution will also be linked to Farmer ID based on the farmer’s land and sown crops, to prevent diversion of subsidised fertilisers. Mentioning global uncertainties in the context of West Asia/ Middle East situations, he said that in such times of crises, only through digital and data-based agricultural administration can the country and farmers be kept secure, therefore all states have been urged to complete Farmer ID work in mission mode to 100 per cent.
Clear message on MSP, procurement, PM-AASHA, and MIS
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that the procurement of pulses and oilseeds is being done by the Agriculture Department through the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan(PM-AASHA), while wheat-rice procurement is handled by the Food Department, and procurement approvals are given in accordance with proposals sent by states, but ensuring time-bound procurement is the responsibility of states. He stated that 100 per cent procurement of chana, masoor, and tur will be done, and where physical procurement is not feasible, compensation for the difference between MSP (minimum support price) and market price can be directly provided to farmers’ accounts through price difference payment mechanisms like the Madhya Pradesh model for mustard and soybean.

Mentioning the challenge of falling prices in crops like potato, onion, and tomato due to international factors, he explained the utility of the MIS (Management Information System), under which payment for the difference between model rates and market prices can be made directly to farmers, with 50 per cent share borne by the Centre and 50 per cent by the state government; additionally, he shared the decision to provide transport subsidy to state agencies that wish to transport farmers’ produce from production areas to major cities.
Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan and agriculture roadmap
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged all states that the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will now be conducted according to states’ local conditions rather than simultaneously across the country, and wherever states send timelines and programs, the Government of India will send teams of scientists, experts, officials, and progressive farmers to accelerate the campaign. In the context of Rajasthan, he announced the dispatch of a special team of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) scientists, which will expand scientific advice and innovations at the field level as per the state’s planned programme.

He also informed that from today, institutional support will be provided for the process of preparing states’ agriculture roadmaps; Rajasthan has initiated Centre’s partnership in its agriculture roadmap, and for this, a joint team of ICAR scientists and ministry’s nodal officers will work together with the state government, while full support will be extended to other states for their agriculture roadmaps as well.
Emphasis on flexibility in policies and timely Budget utilisation
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed to release the new budget effective from April 1 immediately to states and focus on ground-level implementation of schemes from the start of the year, so that there is no situation of unspent budgets or rushed spending at year-end. He informed that in response to states’ demands, this time the arrangement has been made that the Centre will not impose any scheme from above; instead, states will choose priorities as per their needs from schemes - whether it is fencing or drip and sprinkler irrigation under ‘Per Drop, More Crop.
Introducing the concept of ‘Team Agriculture’, he said that policies and programs will be formulated by the Centre, but actual implementation is in the hands of states, therefore the more seriousness and priority state governments accord, the greater the success in delivering scheme benefits to farmers.
Message on disaster management, crop insurance, and health
Referring to recent weather imbalances and losses, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh emphasised accurate assessment of losses by states and effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, so that affected farmers receive full benefits. He stated that active role on the ground will be states’, and the Centre will leave no stone unturned in providing ample support to farmers.

On the occasion of World Health Day, referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s message of a healthy India, Shri Chouhan appealed that everyone should pay attention to their health with moderation in oil and food intake, because a healthy body houses a healthy mind, as he inspired the agriculture leadership to remain fit and dedicated to serving farmers.

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