Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called the farmers the backbone of the country and under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central government is promoting integrated farming and natural farming to increase their income while addressing them at the "Krishi Jan Kalyan Samvad" in Patna today. Citing the examples of ICAR demonstration models and successful farmers of Bihar, he emphasized upon the practical and implementable ways to increase income in small farms. He was accompanied by the Bihar Agriculture Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rural Development Minister Shri Shravan Kumar and Revenue Minister Shri Dilip Jaiswal along with senior officials, agricultural experts, progressive farmers and rural representatives.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with farmers at the "Krishi Jan Kalyan Samvad" held in Patna, listened to their problems, and also sought their suggestions. He also highlighted the Central government's policies and successful agricultural models. He termed the Farmers as the ‘Living God’ on earth and serving farmers is his priority. Specifically, for improving the lot of small farmers, Shri Chouhan explained that integrated farming can provide stable income even on small pieces of land. Agriculture Minister Shri Chouhan shared details of integrated farming implemented at the ICAR Eastern Campus. For example, in a 2-3 bigha model, after paddy, the fields are divided into four sections and planted with wheat, gram, mustard, and maize. Additionally, fish farming in the ponds, poultry units, duck farming, vine vegetables, fruit trees, and fodder fields increase family income in a consecutive manner. In such an integrated model, multiple income sources ensure stable income throughout the year, and many families are able to increase their annual income up to Rs 2 lakh.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also highlighted the benefits of natural farming and urged farmers to try natural and advanced farming on a small portion of their land before covering their entire land on large farms. He explained that excessive use of chemical fertilizers is degrading the soil health, so it is important to emphasise upon the organic and balanced farming. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh also said that the Center and the States will work together on marketing and branding their organic products to help the farmers get better price and recognition.

The Union Minister commended the experiences of progressive farmers during the event i.e. Shri Ramjeet Sharma, Shri  Ramkumar Vinay, Sushila Devi Ji, and Shri Sudhanshu. He assured them that the government would take their suggestions seriously. Sharing his experience, the minister explained that he preferred to spend time in the fields, among farmers, rather than in hotels; this allowed him to deeply understand the real condition of the land and their lifestyle. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that this interaction was not merely an event, but a means to meet farmers and gain a firsthand understanding of their problems and concerns. He promised to visit Bihar again to see initiatives related to the improvement of soil and the livelihood Bihar farmers, and that concrete steps would be taken to improve farmers' incomes and living standards through Central-state cooperation.

***

RC/MS/IM

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2301828) आगंतुक पटल : 235