Govt. holds high-level meet to ensure stability in agriculture sector amid global crisis

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan convened an important review meeting at his residence on Wednesday to consider steps to safeguard the interests of the Indian agricultural sector and the country’s farmers amidst current global instability, while ensuring strategic preparedness for the upcoming Kharif season.

During the meeting, he gave clear instructions to senior officials of the ministry to play a proactive role during times of crisis.

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The minister emphasised the need to ensure an equitable and uninterrupted supply of fertilizers. He directed officials to expedite the work on ‘Farmer IDs’ to make the distribution system transparent. He further stated that he would soon hold a meeting with the chief ministers and agriculture ministers of various states for this purpose.

Instructions have been issued to take strict action against those engaging in the black marketing of fertilizers and seeds by taking advantage of the global crisis. Chouhan stated that state governments will also be encouraged to take stringent measures in this direction.

The meeting reviewed the availability of agro-chemicals and the essential gases required for Drying Seed. The minister emphasised that there should be no shortage of packaging materials, particularly for milk and other agricultural products, amidst the global crisis. To ensure this, he also issued directives to coordinate with the Ministry of Petroleum and other relevant departments.

A ‘Special Cell’ has been established for round-the-clock monitoring of the agricultural sector. This cell will submit a weekly report to the Agriculture Minister regarding the availability of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides.

In his closing remarks, Chouhan reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of all necessary agricultural resources to the farming community.