Union Agriculture Minister in Lok Sabha: Incomplete Irrigation Schemes and River-Linking Projects Back on Track under Our Government

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Union Agriculture Minister in Lok Sabha: Incomplete Irrigation Schemes and River-Linking Projects Back on Track under Our Government Government Moves to Crack Down on Seed–Fertiliser– Pesticide Mafia; New Seed and Pesticide Acts on the Anvil Digital Agriculture Revolution Underway: 9 Crore Farmer IDs and ‘Bharat Vistaar’ AI Platform Set to Transform Farming Natural Farming Will Safeguard Soil Health and Secure Farmers’ Incomes: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan State-Wise Agricultural Roadmaps, MSP Push and Irrigation Expansion to Lay Foundation for a Developed India Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 9:05PM by PIB Delhi Replying to the detailed discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare today, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan delivered a forceful and assertive response, stating unequivocally that the government led by Narendra Modi is not content with merely running an administration, it is committed to transforming society, improving lives, and shaping the future of the nation. Addressing the House, Shri Chouhan responded point-by-point to the Opposition’s criticisms with facts, figures, and policy details. His comprehensive reply covered farmer welfare, agricultural reforms, modern technology, irrigation expansion, crop insurance, natural farming, and digital agriculture. Shri Chouhan said that raising slogans and presenting half-truths in the name of farmers does nothing to address the realities faced in the fields and farms of India. He said that the real issue is what concrete work has actually happened on the ground, how much money has reached farmers directly in their bank accounts, and which systems have been fundamentally transformed to benefit them. MSP, Irrigation and River Linking: Completing What Was Left Incomplete Shri Chouhan reminded the House that during the tenure of the previous government, out of 140 major irrigation projects, 99 had remained stalled for decades, with little progress on the ground. The Modi government brought these projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and placed them on priority, significantly accelerating their implementation. As a result, work is moving rapidly to ensure irrigation coverage for nearly 2.7 million hectares of additional agricultural land. He also pointed out that the ambitious river-linking vision originally articulated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hasseen real momentum only under the Modi government. Projects such as the Ken–Betwa River Linking Project, connecting regions of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, are now moving forward to provide a long-term solution to the twin challenges of floods and droughts. Quality Seeds and Pesticides: Farmers Will Not Be Cheated Shri Chouhan stressed that announcing small financial help of ₹500 or ₹1000 cannot solve farmers’ problems. The real issue, he said, lies in ensuring the quality of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides available in the market. To address this, he announced that the government will soon introduce a new Pesticide Act and a new Seed Act aimed at guaranteeing: Quality seeds for farmers, Standard & reliable fertilizers and Safe & effective pesticides. He further informed the House that the government has already put in place strict protocols under which no bio-stimulant will be allowed in the market unless at least three independent trials conducted by institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research or agricultural universities establish its effectiveness. Out of nearly 8,000 products currently available, only around 500 have met the required standards, while the rest have been denied approval. This, Shri Chouhan emphasized, sends a strong signal that the Modi government will not allow farmers to be misled or exploited by substandard agricultural inputs. Digital Revolution in Agriculture: 9 Crore Farmer IDs and the ‘Bharat Vistaar’ AI Platform Highlighting the rapid digitisation of agriculture, Shri Chouhan informed the House that under the Digital Agriculture Mission, nearly 9 crore Farmer IDs have already been created. Once a farmer possesses a Farmer ID, he explained, bank loans should not take more than one minute to be approved because the farmer’s entire profile, which is land records, crop details, and transaction history, will be available digitally. In the past, farmers were forced to visit banks repeatedly, navigating paperwork and administrative delays. This digital platform is designed to eliminate those barriers. He added that digital crop surveys and agri-stack data will ensure targeted and transparent delivery of benefits under schemes ranging from Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi to MSP procurement. Citing a recent announcement by the Finance Minister, Shri Chouhan also revealed that the government has developed an AI-powered platform named “Bharat Vistaar.” Through this platform, Farmers will be able to send pictures of crops directly from their fields or call a helpline. They can ask questions such as: What disease has affected my crop? Which pesticide should I use? Which crop is best suited to my soil? They will also receive immediate advice in their own language on crop management, pesticides, and crop selection. According to Shri Chouhan, this platform will place expert agricultural advice directly in the hands of farmers, representing a major step in the Modi government’s technology-driven approach to farmer welfare. Natural Farming, Soil Health and State-Specific Agricultural Roadmaps Reiterating concerns about soil health, Shri Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized that excessive use of chemical fertilizers is damaging the health of the soil and may threaten agricultural productivity for future generations. Under the Natural Farming Mission, the government has set ambitious targets: Awareness outreach to 1 crore farmers, Training for 18 lakh farmers, Gradual expansion of natural farming across 75 lakh hectares of land. He noted that lakhs of farmers and vast areas of land have already joined the initiative. Scientific studies indicate that when implemented properly, natural farming can maintain or even increase productivity while significantly reducing cultivation costs, making it a sustainable pathway for Indian agriculture. Shri Chouhan also clarified that although agriculture is a state subject, the central government is working collaboratively with states to develop state-specific agricultural roadmaps based on agro-climatic conditions. These roadmaps will determine Which crops, fruits, and vegetables are most suitable for particular regions, which districts can develop specialized agricultural value chains and how to combine local planning with scientific expertise from the Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchFrom Farmer Welfare to a Developed India In his concluding remarks, Shri Chouhan emphasized that for the Modi government, the person standing at the very bottom of society represents 'Daridra Narayan,' and serving them is equivalent to worshipping God. The government’s objective, he stated, is not merely to increase agricultural output but to enhance farmers’ incomes, strengthen rural prosperity, and build a self-reliant and developed India. In his signature style, Shri Chouhan concluded with a poetic line: "Kaun kehta hai ki aasman mein suraakh nahin ho sakta, Ek patthar to tabiyat se uchhalo yaaro." He said that the Modi government is determined to transform farmers’ lives and reshape India’s future, reaffirming its commitment to push forward the agenda of agricultural reforms, farmer welfare, and rural development with determination and urgency. **** RC/MS (Release ID: 2242168) Visitor Counter : 121 Read this release in: ही