Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Friday, strongly dismissed the allegations that the government was neglecting farmers' grievances and emphasized that substantial efforts were being made to address the concerns of the agricultural community. In a conversation at Agenda Aaj Tak, Chouhan highlighted that the Modi 3.0 government had already implemented 13 major decisions benefiting farmers in the first five months of its tenure. This demonstrated the government’s commitment to the agricultural sector, he said, noting that regular consultations were being held with farmer organizations, with dialogues scheduled every Tuesday.
When asked about a recent incident in which Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar publicly questioned the government's response to farmers' issues, particularly regarding unfulfilled promises and a lack of dialogue with protesting farmers, Chouhan explained that Dhankhar's remarks were driven by his personal connection to farming. Dhankhar, as a farmer's son, expressed concern over the situation, and Chouhan responded, emphasizing the government's honesty in its efforts to address farmer grievances. “Jagdeep Dhankhar is a farmer's son, that's why he is pained. We have made honest efforts to solve the problems of the farmers," he clarified.
Chouhan pointed to specific examples of government actions that addressed farmers' concerns. In Maharashtra, when farmers raised issues regarding soybean prices, the government responded by increasing the prices to help them. Similarly, in response to complaints about the export duties on rice, the government acted by reducing the duties, thus ensuring that farmers were not unduly burdened. "We are continuously working to alleviate their concerns," he added.
Chouhan also addressed Dhankhar’s public comments made during an event in Mumbai, where the Vice President questioned the government's failure to engage meaningfully with protesting farmers and asked why promises made to them had not been fulfilled. Chouhan, in his defense, assured that regular dialogues have been taking place between the government and farmer leaders. “I can even list the names of farmer organizations and leaders we have engaged with,” he asserted, emphasizing that the government's door was always open for continued discussions.
On the government's approach to improving the agricultural landscape, Chouhan underlined the importance of not just ensuring fair prices for farmers, but also tackling structural issues within the sector. He stated that the government's focus was on increasing agricultural productivity and reducing production costs to make farming more sustainable and profitable. He pointed to the procurement of over six lakh metric tonnes of soybean and the government's commitment to buying 24 crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as evidence of this commitment.
Further elaborating on the government's focus on improving farmers' economic conditions, Chouhan mentioned several initiatives and programs designed to provide financial relief and empowerment. His speech also touched on the government's strategy for enhancing the infrastructure in rural areas and improving access to better resources for farmers, which is vital for boosting agricultural growth and ensuring fair returns on their hard work.
Chouhan also addressed the accusations against the Ladli Behna Yojana, a scheme that has been dubbed as a political move to secure votes. Chouhan dismissed these accusations, stating that the scheme was designed to empower women by ensuring justice and providing economic assistance. "My vision has always been to provide complete justice to half the population," he explained. The scheme is part of the government's broader effort to focus on women’s welfare and economic empowerment, recognizing their key role in social and economic development.
The Agriculture Minister’s comments also highlighted the government's larger vision for the agricultural sector, which extends beyond immediate financial relief. The goal is to bring about lasting systemic change by investing in agricultural infrastructure, improving access to technology, and promoting policies that encourage sustainability and long-term prosperity for the farming community.
In summary, Chouhan reiterated that the government was not only addressing immediate issues faced by farmers but was also laying the groundwork for long-term reforms aimed at improving the overall agricultural ecosystem. He expressed confidence that these ongoing efforts, including dialogue with farmer organizations and policy changes aimed at increasing productivity and reducing costs, would ultimately benefit the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
