India to Launch Nationwide Agricultural Outreach from October 3: Minister Shivraj Singh

01 September 2025, New Delhi: India’s Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced that a fresh nationwide campaign will begin on October 3, coinciding with the day after Dussehra, to connect farmers directly with scientists and advanced agricultural practices.

Speaking during his visit to Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan emphasized that the government is determined to ensure that farmers’ money is not wasted on ineffective or spurious agricultural inputs. He stated that fertilizers, seeds, and crop protection products of substandard quality will be strictly eliminated from the market, while only those scientifically tested and proven effective by ICAR or agricultural universities will be permitted for sale. Out of nearly 30,000 products, only 682 have passed scientific evaluation, he added, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

The minister underlined that fraudulent companies will face license cancellations and penalties if farmers’ crops are damaged by counterfeit products. Moreover, farmers will be compensated in such cases. “The days of dealers forcing unnecessary or unverified products on farmers are over,” Chouhan said.

Focus on Reducing Costs and Promoting Natural Farming

Chouhan reiterated that making farming profitable requires not just boosting production but also reducing costs. He outlined a six-point strategy focusing on productivity growth, cost reduction, fair pricing, compensation for losses, agricultural diversification, and the promotion of natural farming. The government is already conducting awareness campaigns to encourage low-input farming and crop diversification, reviving traditional practices where multiple crops were cultivated together to ensure resilience.

Linking Laboratories with Fields

The minister stressed that despite India having nearly 16,000 research laboratories, their innovations often do not reach farmers. To address this gap, the government has deployed over 2,170 teams of scientists to directly engage with farmers in their fields. This initiative, first rolled out earlier this year, will be expanded from October 3 with scientists once again reaching villages ahead of the rabi sowing season to demonstrate advanced techniques and solutions.

“This campaign will not only connect farmers with new technologies but also equip them with practical methods to reduce costs and increase yields,” Chouhan assured.

Record Agricultural Growth

Highlighting India’s strong agricultural performance, Chouhan noted that the sector recorded a growth rate of 3.7% this year, contributing significantly to GDP. Record production of wheat, rice, and maize has ensured that India’s grain reserves are fully stocked, a stark contrast to earlier decades when the country relied on wheat imports under the U.S. PL-480 program.

The minister concluded his address by urging citizens to support Indian-made products in daily life, from food and clothing to household items, reinforcing the idea that buying local strengthens the nation’s economy and provides employment.

Also Read: Is TSV Virus Alone to Blame for India’s Low Cotton Productivity? What China Is Doing Differently

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