New Delhi: Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Thursday, virtually addressed the 13th National Seed Congress in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He emphasised the critical role of agriculture in India’s economy and highlighted the importance of good seeds in increasing production and ensuring food security, a PIB release stated.
Chouhan stated that the Indian government is committed to supporting farmers through various initiatives, including increasing production, reducing production costs, ensuring fair prices, providing compensation for losses, and promoting agricultural diversification. He also highlighted the recently approved National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aimed at addressing the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The Union Minister stressed the importance of translating scientific advancements into practical solutions for farmers, citing the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent release of 109 climate-friendly and water-efficient seed varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). He emphasised that timely availability of high-quality seeds at affordable prices is crucial for farmers’ success, the release added.
Chouhan noted that good quality seeds can boost production by 20%. He also emphasised the need to preserve India’s traditional seeds, highlighting the existence of over 3,000 varieties of traditional rice.