Date: 2026-05-14Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan described Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal as a “great national mission for the reconstruction of the nation”
**Executive Summary**
On May 14, 2026, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan convened a high-level meeting to implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission for national reconstruction and the prudent use of resources. The document outlines directives for administrative austerity, the promotion of indigenous products, and significant agricultural reforms. Officials have been tasked with preparing a detailed action plan at the earliest to execute these initiatives within the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Administrative Austerity and Efficiency**
* The Minister’s vehicle convoy has been reduced to only three vehicles to lead by example.
* Departments must prioritize virtual meetings, video conferencing, and the e-office system to minimize travel.
* Officials are directed to assess and adopt "work from home" or hybrid work models, provided work efficiency is maintained.
* Foreign travel is restricted to absolutely essential cases, with an emphasis on promoting domestic tourism.
* **Lifestyle and Economic Directives**
* Ministry officials and employees are advised to avoid unnecessary gold purchases and encourage five others to do the same.
* The use of public transport, Metro rail, and electric vehicles is to be encouraged at the ministry level.
* A strict "Vocal for Local" approach is mandated, requiring the use of indigenous products in all training programs, meetings, and food arrangements (specifically millets and domestic edible oils).
* **Agricultural Initiatives and Reforms**
* **Khet Bachao Abhiyan:** A new campaign to promote the balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers and restore soil fertility.
* **Natural Farming Targets:** A national goal has been set to move 25% of agricultural land to natural and organic farming.
* **Local Infrastructure:** 1,657 ICAR scientist-led teams and "Khet Bachao Committees" are being formed at the village level to train farmers.
* **Leadership Outreach:** The Union Minister will personally write to elected public representatives urging them to adopt natural farming on 25% of their own land holdings.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry Officials and Employees**
**Impact:** Affected by new operational protocols regarding travel, work-from-home assessments, and a shift toward public transport.
**Action Required:** Transition to virtual platforms and e-office systems, promote indigenous products to at least five families, and prepare a detailed action plan for the meeting's directives.
**Farmers**
**Impact:** Subject to increased outreach and training regarding soil health and sustainable farming practices.
**Action Required:** Participate in training sessions held by ICAR teams and transition toward balanced fertilizer use and natural farming techniques.
**Public Representatives**
**Impact:** Positioned as role models for the national transition to organic agriculture.
**Action Required:** Undertake natural and organic farming on at least 25% of their personal land holdings.
**Citizens**
**Impact:** Encouraged to align their consumption and travel habits with national interests.
**Action Required:** Use indigenous products, adopt a balanced lifestyle, and prioritize domestic tourism over foreign travel.
Key Entities Referenced
Khet Bachao Abhiyan: A national campaign launched to promote the balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers and establish village-level committees for soil health awareness.
Natural and Organic Farming: A primary policy target aimed at transitioning at least 25 per cent of the country’s agricultural land to sustainable, chemical-free farming methods.
Vocal for Local: A national initiative emphasized to promote the use of indigenous products and discourage unnecessary foreign travel and imports within the ministry.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The premier research body tasked with leading 1,657 teams to provide village-level training to farmers regarding fertilizer use and soil fertility.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture and Rural Development
Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan described
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal as a
“great national mission for the reconstruction of
the nation”
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is such a patriot that he
first tests himself on every standard before making an appeal
to the people: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reduced the size
of his vehicle convoy; only three vehicles will now remain part
of the cavalcade
We will promote domestic tourism and avoid unnecessary
foreign travel: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan directs departments to adopt a
“work from home” model in a manner that does not affect
work efficiency
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan advises officials
and employees at the ministry level to avoid unnecessary
purchase of gold and encourage at least five others to do the
same
Foreign visits will take place only when absolutely necessary;
efforts should be made to conduct most meetings virtually:
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Citizens can contribute to this national mission by using
indigenous products and adopting a balanced lifestyle: Union
Agriculture Minister
A ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ will be launched to promotebalanced and prudent use of chemical fertilisers: Shri Shivraj
Singh Chouhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to
write to public representatives urging them to undertake
natural and organic farming on 25 per cent of their land
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan directs ministry
officials to motivate at least five people each to promote
‘Vocal for Local’ and indigenous products
Use of Metro rail and public transport will be encouraged at
the ministry level: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 9:05PM by PIB Delhi
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.
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