Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Addresses Agricultural Advisors’ Conclave in Patna

Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan today addressed the Agricultural Advisors’ Dialogue Programme held in Patna, highlighting the government’s recognition of the crucial role played by agricultural advisors in strengthening India’s farm sector.

“The government has acknowledged both the need and value of agricultural advisors and is fully committed to safeguarding their dignity and welfare,” the Minister said.

Chouhan outlined the remarkable progress achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling that there was a time when India imported red wheat from the United States under the PL–480 scheme. “Today, our granaries are full, and India exports food grains to other countries. This transformation is the result of farmers’ hard work and the dedicated efforts of agricultural advisors,” he noted.

He emphasized that without advisors, research outcomes from laboratories would never effectively reach the fields, and hence their contribution is vital to India’s agricultural success.

Focusing on Bihar’s potential in pulses and maize production, the Minister said that under the Pulses Mission, India aims to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, with advisors playing a key role in this initiative. He also highlighted the recent increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) announced by the Cabinet as a major step toward ensuring farmers’ welfare.

Chouhan further elaborated on the ‘Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’, under which districts with lower productivity — including several in Bihar — have been placed under special focus. The scheme brings together 11 departments to work collaboratively on improving productivity and ensuring better outcomes for farmers.

Reaffirming the government’s stand on protecting farmers’ interests, Chouhan said, “Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that the nation’s interests come first — Rashtrahit Sarvopari. India will never compromise on the welfare of its farmers and will continue to move forward on its own terms as a sovereign and self-reliant nation.”

Commending the achievements of Bihar’s farmers, the Minister said the state has emerged as a leader in several crops and that agriculture will remain the strongest foundation of India’s prosperity in the years ahead.

The event was attended by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with a large gathering of agricultural advisors, farmers, scientists, and officials.