Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development on 18th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 18, 2026, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a commitment program to implement the ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ The initiative aims to modernize agriculture, empower rural women, and ensure that government officials verify the ground-level impact of rural development schemes. Key action items include the creation of district-level agricultural roadmaps and increasing the target for ‘Lakhpati Didis’ to six crore women.
Key Points / Main Content
Strategic Vision and Roadmap
Viksit Bharat 2047: Use the ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ framework to build a developed, self-reliant, and prosperous India.
National Interest: Adoption of "Nation First" as a guiding principle, emphasizing duty and honesty in government service.
Decentralized Planning: Requirement for separate agricultural roadmaps at the state and district levels to account for local soil, water, and climatic conditions.
Agricultural Advancement and Export
Global Market Integration: Focus on taking Indian products from the farm to international markets by ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with global standards.
Value Addition: Enhance farmers' incomes through food processing, better packaging, and branding.
Diversified Farming: Promotion of natural farming, organic farming, and chemical-free practices to meet increasing global demand.
Technological Integration: Utilization of mechanization, artificial intelligence, and improved seeds to boost production and productivity.
Rural Development and Women's Empowerment
Lakhpati Didi Initiative: Following the achievement of the three-crore target, a new goal has been set to create six crore ‘Lakhpati Didis.’
Market Access: Promotion of ‘She-Marts’ and branding to help rural women sell handicrafts, food products, and Ayurvedic goods globally.
Infrastructure and Security: Focus on accelerating the development of pucca houses, roads, water security, and river rejuvenation.
Administrative Excellence
Ground Reality Verification: Officials must move beyond office data and visit fields to assess the actual status of schemes and beneficiary satisfaction.
Four Mantras for Success: Dedication through field presence (‘Paanv mein chakkar’), cordial communication (‘Munh mein shakkar’), passion (‘Seene mein aag’), and patience (‘Maathe par barf’).
Impact Analysis
FarmersImpact: Affected by new opportunities for higher income via global exports and diversified farming models.
Action Required: Adopt modern agricultural practices, utilize technical guidance from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and align crop production with scientific market demand assessments.
Government Officials and EmployeesImpact: Subject to higher accountability and a shift in working culture toward field-based monitoring.
Action Required: Set clear departmental goals, prepare concrete roadmaps, and conduct regular field visits to align departmental data with ground realities.
Rural Women (SHGs)Impact: Significant boost in financial assistance, skill development, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Action Required: Focus on producing high-quality traditional goods and handicrafts for domestic and international branding initiatives.
Scientists and Research InstitutionsImpact: Tasked with bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and practical farming.
Action Required: Collaborate with state governments and farmers to transfer new technologies, such as AI and improved seed varieties, to the field.
Processors and ExportersImpact: Integrated into a coordinated platform to bridge the gap between farms and markets.
Action Required: Work with farmers to ensure raw materials meet the quality and purity standards required for international reliability.
Key Entities Referenced
Shakti Ki Saptadhara: A strategic roadmap and vision announced by the Prime Minister to guide the development of India's agriculture and rural sectors.
Lakhpati Didi: A key rural development initiative aimed at empowering women in Self-Help Groups, with a scaled-up target of reaching six crore women.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The overarching national policy vision to transform India into a developed nation by the year 2047.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, responsible for leading the implementation of the 'Shakti Ki Saptadhara' roadmap.
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): Primary entities tasked with connecting farmers to global markets and strengthening agricultural production and food processing value chains.
Ministry of Rural Development
Agriculture and Rural Development Family to
Unite Behind PM Modi’s ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’
Vision: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Will Make Indian Agriculture Prosperous, Self-Reliant to
Realise PM Modi’s Vision of Viksit Bharat: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ to Guide New Roadmap for Agriculture
and Rural Development: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Focus on Higher Production, Better Quality and Food
Processing to Build Viksit Bharat 2047: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
Commitment to Take Farmers’ Products from Farm to Global
Markets: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Increasing Farmers’ Incomes and Empowering Rural Women
Among Government’s Top Priorities: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
Three Crore Lakhpati Didis Target Achieved; Now Committed
to Creating Six Crore Lakhpati Didis: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
Farmers, Scientists, Food Processors and Exporters to Join
Hands for a Self-Reliant India: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Nation First: Make Duty Your Identity and Work Towards
Building a Viksit Bharat: Shri Shivraj Singh ChouhanTurning PM Modi’s Dream of Viksit Bharat into Resolve,
Capability and Success Is Our Collective Responsibility: Shri
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
प्रव तथ: 18 AUG 2026 6:22PM by PIB Delhi
To translate the ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from the
ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day into action on the ground, a commitment program for
departments under the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development was organised
today at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium, Pusa, on the initiative of Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan. The program saw Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan administer a collective pledge to officials, employees, scientists, farmers,
Lakhpati Didis, food processors, exporters and representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
to contribute towards building a developed, prosperous, self-reliant and empowered India. Minister of
State Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Dr. Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, along with the Secretaries of all
four departments, were also present on the occasion.
Agriculture and Food Processing as Key Drivers of Shakti Ki Saptadhara
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan said PM Shri Narendra Modi, through the ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’,
has presented a clear roadmap for building a developed India. Agriculture and food processing constitute
an important pillar of this vision. He said India must focus not only on increasing agricultural production
but also on ensuring quality, safety and compliance with global standards so that products of Indian
farmers can establish a strong presence in international markets. Shri Chouhan said the program was not
merely a formal event, but a collective commitment of the entire agriculture and rural development
ecosystem. Farmers, scientists, officials, employees, processors, exporters, women associated with Self-
Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations are all equal stakeholders in this effort. Every
individual has an important responsibility, and all must work together to realise the Prime Minister’s
vision.
Nation FirstShri Chouhan said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has clearly called upon citizens to place national
interest above personal interests and make duty the defining principle of their lives. He said government
service is a commitment to serving the nation and its people. Serving farmers, the poor, mothers and
sisters, and rural communities is akin to serving Bharat Mata. Performing one’s responsibilities with
honesty and sincerity is true patriotism. Shri Chouhan said the first responsibility for fulfilling the
commitments made by the Prime Minister from the Red Fort rests with ministers, officials and employees.
He called upon all officials and employees to set clear goals for their respective departments, prepare
concrete roadmaps and implement them with dedication, integrity and hard work. He said the Prime
Minister’s commitments can be fulfilled only when all of us accept them as our own and work towards
achieving them.
From Farm to Global Markets
Shri Chouhan said connecting Indian agriculture from the farm to global markets is the need of the hour.
Indian farmers produce a diverse range of products, including chillies, spices, fruits, flowers, traditional
food products and several other agricultural commodities. He said improving the quality of these products
and preparing them in line with the requirements of global markets can significantly expand opportunities
for farmers. Through food processing, packaging, branding and exports, farmers’ incomes can be
increased substantially. The Minister said farmers, processors and exporters are interconnected, and
therefore there is a need to bring all stakeholders onto a common platform and work in a coordinated
manner. Shri Chouhan said if Indian agricultural products demonstrate quality, purity and reliability,
global markets will readily accept them. The demand for products produced through natural farming,
organic farming and chemical-free farming is increasing in India and across the world. Farmers must
therefore be provided with technical guidance, market intelligence and better processing facilities.
Focus on Agricultural Roadmaps
Shri Chouhan said that in addition to a national-level agricultural roadmap, separate agricultural roadmaps
should be prepared for every state and district. He said climatic conditions, soil, water availability and
cropping patterns vary across different regions of India. Therefore, plans for crop production, processing
and marketing should be designed according to local conditions. He emphasised the need for scientific
assessment of demand for different crops in domestic and international markets. Based on such
assessments, farmers can be engaged in dialogue and encouraged to adopt suitable crops, improve qualityand use modern agricultural practices. The Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Indian
Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, state governments and other institutions must
work together to take new technologies to farmers, he said. Shri Chouhan added that greater use of
technology, mechanisation, artificial intelligence, improved seeds and modern agricultural practices can
help increase both production and productivity.
Increase Production, Reduce Costs
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government’s priorities for the agriculture sector are
to increase production, reduce costs, improve quality and ensure remunerative prices for farmers. He said
farmers must receive timely and accurate information related to weather, markets and production. Special
attention is being given to natural farming, organic farming, irrigation, water conservation, crop
diversification and other sources of agriculture-based income. Integrated farming systems and models
based on local resources should be developed to enhance farmers’ incomes. Shri Chouhan said the
achievements of the agriculture sector are significant, but they are milestones and not the final destination.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set new goals, and all departments must now work with greater
speed and seriousness to achieve them.
Target of Six Crore Lakhpati Didis
Highlighting the importance of the Lakhpati Didi initiative in rural development, Shri Chouhan said the
target of making three crore rural women Lakhpati Didis has been achieved. Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi has now set a target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis. He said creating three crore additional
Lakhpati Didis will bring about a major transformation in the rural economy. Women associated with Self-
Help Groups are being provided opportunities for skill development, financial assistance, market access
and entrepreneurship. Shri Chouhan said initiatives such as ‘She-Marts’ and branding will be promoted to
provide better market access to products made by rural women. Efforts will be made to take handicrafts,
food products, Ayurvedic products, traditional goods and other products prepared by rural women to
markets across India and abroad. He said women’s empowerment is not limited to increasing women’s
incomes. It strengthens families, villages and the entire rural economy. Making rural women self-reliant is
an important prerequisite for building a developed India.
Monitoring Development in VillagesShri Chouhan said the vision of a developed India cannot be realised without developed villages. Rural
areas are witnessing efforts to accelerate the development of pucca houses, roads, water conservation,
employment, livelihoods, women’s empowerment and agriculture-based activities. He said the impact of
all rural development schemes must be visible on the ground. Officials and employees must go beyond
their offices and visit the field to assess the actual status of schemes. Better alignment between
departmental data and ground realities is essential. The Union Minister also emphasised expediting the
implementation of programmes related to water security, river rejuvenation, conservation of land
resources and rural livelihoods. He said the true assessment of the success of government schemes must be
carried out at the level of villages and beneficiaries.
Four Mantras for Success
Urging officials and employees to remain dedicated to their responsibilities, Shri Chouhan shared four
mantras for success: “Paanv mein chakkar, munh mein shakkar, seene mein aag aur maathe par barf”.
Explaining the four principles, he said ‘paanv mein chakkar’ means remaining constantly on the move and
visiting the field whenever necessary to review the implementation of work. ‘Munh mein shakkar’ means
maintaining a cordial and respectful approach towards colleagues and the public while building a strong
team. ‘Seene mein aag’ represents the passion and determination to achieve one’s goals, while ‘maathe par
barf’ means maintaining patience, composure and balance in difficult circumstances. He said that if
success does not come on the first attempt, one should not become discouraged but continue making
efforts. Persistent hard work and patience inevitably lead to success.
Partnership is the Key to Success
Union Minister Shri Chouhan said all stakeholders associated with agriculture and rural development must
work together. Farmers, scientists, officials, employees, processors, exporters, Farmer Producer
Organisations and Self-Help Groups are all integral parts of this process. He said agricultural research
institutions and Krishi Vigyan Kendras should provide research and technological solutions based on the
actual needs of farmers. Strengthening the entire value chain from farm to market will provide farmers
with better incomes and consumers with quality products, he added. Shri Chouhan said that under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is moving rapidly towards self-reliance and the
goal of a developed India. Agriculture and rural development departments have a crucial role to play in
this journey.
Participants Share Their Experiences
Farmers, Lakhpati Didis, exporters and members of Farmer Producer Organisations shared their
experiences during the program. Smt. Lalita shared her experiences related to the Lakhpati Didi initiative
and women’s empowerment, as well as the achievements of rural women. Shri Vinod Kumar Saini shared
his experiences from the agriculture and farming sector, highlighting issues related to production,
technology and markets. Shri Mukesh Jain offered suggestions related to the processing and marketing of
agricultural products, while Shri Praful Goswami shared his views on connecting Farmer Producer
Organisations and farmers with markets. Farmers, Lakhpati Didis, representatives of exporters, food
processors and FPOs were also present at the programme. All participants expressed their commitment to
working together to increase farmers’ incomes, promote quality production and economically empower
rural women.Secretaries Present Departmental Roadmaps and Priorities
The Secretaries of all four departments also presented the roadmaps and priorities of their respective
departments. Dr. Mangilal Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director
General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, spoke about agricultural research, new technologies and
scientific innovation. Shri Atish Chandra, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, spoke
on issues related to agricultural production, farmers’ incomes and quality improvement. Shri Rohit Kansal,
Secretary, Department of Rural Development, outlined priorities related to the Lakhpati Didi initiative,
rural livelihoods and the development of prosperous villages. Shri Narendra Bhushan, Secretary,
Department of Land Resources, shared his views on land conservation, water management and the better
utilisation of natural resources.
Call to Move Forward with a Collective Resolve
At the conclusion of the programme, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan administered a
collective pledge to all those present, calling upon them to work with complete dedication, commitment
and capacity to realise the ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on
Independence Day. As part of the pledge, participants resolved to make agriculture more prosperous,
strengthen food production, expand food processing, take Indian agricultural products to global markets,
increase the incomes of farmers and ensure due respect for their hard work. The participants also pledged
to work towards the goal of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis, following the achievement of the target of
three crore Lakhpati Didis, to place national interest above personal interests and to make duty the
defining principle of their lives. Shri Chouhan said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has envisioned a
developed India, and it is the collective responsibility of all to transform that vision into resolve, capability
and success. He expressed confidence that all those associated with agriculture and rural development will
work together and make their best contribution towards building a prosperous, empowered, self-reliant
and developed India.
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