New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s activities and directed officials to promote sustainable farming and low-cost agriculture across the country.
He chaired a high-level meeting related to the Expenditure Finance Committee of ICAR in New Delhi on Friday. Senior officials from the agriculture research body attended the meeting.
ICAR Director General Dr M. L. Jat briefed the minister on ongoing programmes, future plans and research activities aimed at supporting Indian farmers.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said agriculture remained the main source of livelihood for a large population and continued to strengthen the Indian economy. He instructed officials to focus on improving productivity while reducing farming costs.
The Union Minister also stressed the need to increase profitability for farmers through scientific and practical agricultural methods. He said integrated farming should expand widely to improve incomes and support environmental protection.
Sustainable farming plans include state-specific roadmaps
The minister directed officials to prepare separate agricultural roadmaps for states based on their agro-climatic conditions. He said climate change had started affecting farming patterns in India and across the world.
Officials informed the minister that Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Rajasthan had already requested state-specific agricultural plans. They said work on those roadmaps had begun.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed satisfaction with ICAR’s action plan and asked officials to speed up implementation. He urged teams to complete targets ahead of schedule with greater commitment and coordination.
The minister said scientific agriculture and integrated farming practices would help strengthen long-term agricultural sustainability. He added that these measures would also support higher incomes for farmers while protecting natural resources.
