**Executive Summary**
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare held a farewell ceremony for outgoing Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan honored Dr. Chaturvedi and welcomed the newly appointed Agriculture Secretary, Shri Atish Chandra. The ceremony took place on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Farewell and Welcome:**
* Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi retired as Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
* Shri Atish Chandra was formally welcomed as the newly appointed Agriculture Secretary.
* **Recognition of Dr. Chaturvedi's Tenure:**
* Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan appreciated Dr. Chaturvedi's contributions, highlighting his dedication, impactful tenure, balanced approach, leadership qualities, and problem-solving ability.
* Dr. Chaturvedi was noted for consistently ensuring the effective and time-bound implementation of Ministry initiatives.
* His administrative experience and clarity of vision strengthened policy implementation and coordination.
* **Tributes and Best Wishes:**
* Shri Chouhan presented Dr. Chaturvedi with a memento and bouquet.
* The gathering acknowledged Dr. Chaturvedi's service to the agricultural sector and farmers.
* **Expectations for Shri Atish Chandra:**
* Shri Chouhan expressed confidence that Shri Chandra's leadership would lead to more effective results in advancing farmers' interests.
* He hopes Shri Chandra will build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor and strengthen efforts toward agricultural growth and rural development.
* **Attendees:**
* Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh.
* Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. M.L. Jat.
* Senior officers and staff members of the Ministry.
**Impact Analysis**
**Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi (Outgoing Agriculture Secretary)**
* **Impact:** Retired from his position as Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, receiving recognition and appreciation for his service.
* **Action Required:** None specified.
**Shri Atish Chandra (Newly Appointed Agriculture Secretary)**
* **Impact:** Assumed the role of Agriculture Secretary, with expectations to advance farmers' interests and strengthen the Ministry's efforts.
* **Action Required:** To lead the Ministry towards achieving effective results in agricultural growth and rural development, building upon the foundation laid by his predecessor.
**Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare**
* **Impact:** Transition in leadership with a focus on continuity and further enhancement of ministry efforts.
* **Action Required:** To support the new Secretary and continue implementing initiatives for agricultural growth and rural development.
**Farmers and the Agricultural Sector**
* **Impact:** Hope for continued and enhanced support and development of the agricultural sector.
* **Action Required:** None specified.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare: The Union ministry organizing a farewell ceremony for its outgoing Agriculture Secretary.
Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi: The outgoing Union Agriculture Secretary, being honored at a farewell ceremony.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister who honours and speaks highly of Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi's tenure.
Shri Atish Chandra: The newly appointed Agriculture Secretary.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Farewell ceremony held for Union Agriculture
Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan honours Dr.
Devesh Chaturvedi, extends best wishes to newly appointed
secretary Atish Chandra
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh says Dr. Chaturvedi’s tenure
was exemplary
Posted On: 28 FEB 2026 8:17PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare organised a dignified farewell ceremony on
Saturday to mark the retirement of Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare. On this occasion, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural
Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan honoured Dr. Chaturvedi and also formally welcomed the
newly appointed Agriculture Secretary, Shri Atish Chandra.
In his address, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan appreciated Dr. Chaturvedi’s long, dedicated
and impactful administrative tenure. He said that even in challenging circumstances, Dr. Chaturvedi
adopted a balanced approach and provided new direction and momentum to the Ministry. Shri Shivraj
Singh stated that Dr. Chaturvedi’s leadership qualities, problem-solving ability and strong sense of
teamwork enhanced transparency and efficiency in the functioning of the Ministry.Describing his tenure as exemplary, the Union Minister noted that Dr. Chaturvedi consistently worked
with commitment and foresight, ensuring that the Ministry’s initiatives were implemented effectively and
in a time-bound manner. He emphasised that Dr. Chaturvedi’s administrative experience and clarity of
vision significantly strengthened policy implementation and coordination within the Department of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
In an emotional moment during the ceremony, Shri Chouhan presented Dr. Chaturvedi with a memento
and a bouquet as a mark of respect and extended his best wishes for the future. The gathering
acknowledged Dr. Chaturvedi’s contributions with appreciation and gratitude for his years of service to the
agricultural sector and to farmers across the country. On the same occasion, Union Minister Shri Shivraj
Singh welcomed the newly appointed Agriculture Secretary, Shri Atish Chandra, and expressed
confidence that under his leadership, the Ministry would achieve even more effective results in advancing
farmers’ interests. He conveyed his hope that Shri Chandra would continue to build upon the foundation
laid by his predecessor and further strengthen the Ministry’s efforts toward agricultural growth and rural
development.
The programme was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh,
Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. M.L. Jat, along with senior
officers and staff members of the Ministry.****
RC/PU/DK/MK
(Release ID: 2234042) Visitor Counter : 371
Read this release in: ही