Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on 17th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will lead the 'Sapt Dhara of Shakti' program on August 18, 2026, to establish a roadmap for agriculture and rural development toward 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. The initiative focuses on scaling the 'Lakhpati Didi' program to six crore women, strengthening food production, and expanding global market access for farmers. Key action items include reviewing departmental roadmaps and implementing transparent monitoring systems for people-centric programs.
Key Points / Main Content
Strategic Roadmap for 2047
Translation of the Prime Minister’s “Sapt Dhara of Shakti” vision into an actionable roadmap for various government departments.
Focus on people-centric programs, transparent monitoring, and effective implementation to ensure direct benefits reach rural communities.
Review and acceleration of departmental plans to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Agricultural Growth and Self-Reliance
Prioritization of food production, food processing, and the expansion of access to global markets for agricultural and marine products.
Commitment to providing fertilizers at subsidized prices to protect farmers from global price uncertainties.
Long-term focus on achieving self-reliance in essential requirements, specifically fertilizers and fuel.
Expansion of the Lakhpati Didi Initiative
A new target has been set to increase the number of 'Lakhpati Didis' from three crore to six crore women.
Provision of skill development and financial assistance to women associated with Self-Help Groups to increase their livelihoods.
Promotion of women's empowerment as a central pillar of the government’s rural development approach.
Market Access and Branding
Introduction of “She-Marts” through the Union Budget to provide better market platforms for women-led enterprises.
Implementation of branding initiatives to promote rural products related to Yoga, Ayurveda, and handicrafts in domestic and global markets.
Impact Analysis
Ministry OfficialsImpact: They are tasked with translating national vision into specific departmental actions and roadmaps.
Action Required: Participate in the August 18 pledge and meeting to review current roadmaps and accelerate program implementation.
Farmers, Exporters, and Food ProcessorsImpact: These stakeholders will benefit from enhanced global market opportunities and continued subsidies for essential inputs.
Action Required: Align production and export strategies with new global market opportunities and participate in the roadmap development program.
Rural Women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)Impact: Targeted for significant economic advancement through the doubling of the Lakhpati Didi program target and new market access initiatives.
Action Required: Engage with skill development training, utilize financial assistance, and leverage "She-Marts" and branding initiatives to sell products.
Key Entities Referenced
Sapt Dhara of Shakti: A seven-pronged vision and pledge outlined by the Prime Minister to strengthen agriculture, food production, and rural development.
Lakhpati Didi program: A rural development initiative aimed at empowering women through Self-Help Groups, with an expanded target to reach six crore beneficiaries.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The national vision and policy goal to transform India into a developed nation by the year 2047.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development who is leading the implementation roadmap and the pledge ceremony.
She-Marts: A market-access initiative introduced to help women-led rural enterprises find better domestic and global markets for their products.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Lead ‘Sapt Dhara of
Shakti’ Pledge at Pusa on August 18
Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Chart Roadmap for Agriculture &
Rural Development Towards Viksit Bharat 2047
Farmers, Lakhpati Didis, Exporters & Food Processors to Join
‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ Pledge
6 Crore Lakhpati Didis, Stronger Agriculture: ‘Sapt Dhara of
Shakti’ to Drive Rural Development Agenda
Posted On: 17 AUG 2026 3:22PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
will administer a pledge to officials of both ministries at the Pusa campus in New Delhi on August 18,
following the “Sapt Dhara of Shakti” outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his Independence
Day address on August 15. The program will focus on the roadmap of various departments, the expansion
of the Lakhpati Didi program and important decisions concerning the interests of farmers and rural
communities. The meeting aims to translate the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 into a clear and
actionable roadmap for agriculture and rural development. Progressive farmers, Lakhpati Didis,
agricultural exporters and food processors will also participate in the program.
Shri Chouhan said that the “Sapt Dhara of Shakti” outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
provides an important direction for agriculture and rural India. He said the government would work to turn
this vision into action through people-centric programs, transparent monitoring and effective
implementation. “Our aim is to ensure that farmers and rural women benefit directly and that our efforts
contribute to the realisation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. In this direction, we will review the departmental
roadmaps and work to accelerate their implementation,” Shri Chouhan said.
In his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi outlined the
“Sapt Dhara of Shakti”, which includes strengthening agriculture and food production, promoting food
processing and expanding access to global markets as important priorities. The Prime Minister also
reiterated the government’s commitment to providing fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices amid
global crises and uncertainties. He highlighted the need to create new global markets and opportunities for
farmers, particularly in agriculture and marine products, including seafood. The focus on self-reliance also
forms an important part of the agenda. The Prime Minister highlighted the long-term measures undertaken
over the past decade to ensure that India remains secure and self-reliant in essential requirements such as
fertilisers and fuel, particularly in the face of global uncertainties.
Focus on Expanding Lakhpati DidiThe Lakhpati Didi program of the Ministry of Rural Development will be an important focus of the
August 18 meeting. Three crore rural women have already become Lakhpati Didis, and Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi has set a new target of taking this number to six crore. Shri Chouhan will discuss the
implementation roadmap for expanding the programme and achieving this target. Women associated with
Self-Help Groups are being supported through skill development and financial assistance to strengthen
their livelihoods and increase their incomes. Women’s empowerment and economic independence are
central to the government’s approach to rural development. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also
called upon citizens to recognise and respect the capabilities of women and support their greater
participation in economic development.
To strengthen market access for women-led enterprises, initiatives such as She-Marts have also been
included in the Union Budget. These initiatives are aimed at helping women find better markets for their
products and build stronger rural enterprises. Through She-Marts and branding initiatives, products linked
to yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts and other rural enterprises will be promoted for wider domestic and global
markets. Creating stronger market opportunities for products made by rural women will remain an
important priority as the government works towards the next phase of women-led rural development.
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