Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday held a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi with senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Rural Development and Department of Land Resources following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for prudent use of resources.

During the meeting, Shri Chouhan said that national interest has always remained paramount for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and that he consistently takes decisions keeping the country’s welfare in mind. He said whenever the Prime Minister makes an appeal to the nation, it is extremely important in the larger national interest and should be followed by everyone.

The Union Agriculture Minister also held detailed discussions on implementing the various appeals made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the people of the country. He said all officers and employees should promote the use of indigenous products and encourage at least five families each to adopt them as well. Under the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Swadesh Abhiyan’ initiatives, local products should be given priority. He also said that officials and employees at the ministry level should avoid unnecessary purchases of gold and that every officer should motivate at least five others not to make such purchases.

He said unnecessary foreign travel should be avoided and that overseas visits should take place only when absolutely essential. The Union Minister directed officials to maximise work through virtual platforms and promote video conferencing and the e-office system. He also asked officials to assess the possibility of adopting work-from-home or hybrid work models, while ensuring that work efficiency is not affected. Shri Chouhan also reduced the size of his official convoy, which will now consist of only three vehicles.

Shri Chouhan said that during summer vacations, people should promote tourism within the country instead of travelling abroad, as India is rich in natural beauty and diversity. He also stressed the need to encourage the use of public transport and electric vehicles.

Shri Shivraj Singh said that only indigenous products should be used during training programmes, meetings and for other essential requirements, including food arrangements. He also emphasised promoting the use of millets and edible oils produced within the country.

Expressing concern over the rising use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture, he said excessive use was damaging the soil and affecting its fertility. To prevent this, balanced use of fertilisers and large-scale promotion of natural and organic farming were necessary. The Union Agriculture Minister said clearly that the country has adequate fertiliser stocks, but balanced and judicious use must be encouraged. To create awareness among farmers, a ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ will be launched.

The Union Minister said that 1,657 teams have been formed under the leadership of ICAR scientists to create awareness and train farmers at the village level regarding balanced fertiliser use. Alongside this, ‘Khet Bachao Committees’ are also being formed in villages across the country.

He expressed confidence that adopting natural farming in the right manner does not reduce agricultural output. He directed officials to carry out a public awareness campaign on the issue with full force.

He said that more than 18 lakh farmers are currently practising natural farming on over 8 lakh hectares of land across the country. The target is to promote natural and organic farming on at least 25 per cent of the country’s agricultural land. In this regard, he said he would personally write to all elected public representatives, urging them to adopt natural and organic farming on 25 per cent of their land holdings.

The Union Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a visionary leader who thinks not only about the present but also about India over the next 50 years. He said Shri Narendra Modi is a patriot who first subjects himself to every standard before making an appeal to the people. He added that every step taken in national interest contributes to the great national mission of rebuilding the country.

During the meeting, officials were directed to prepare a detailed action plan on these points at the earliest so that the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development can set an example in serving the national interest.

***

RC/MS/MK