Union Agriculture Minister Announces PM Modi to Release 109 New Crop Varieties on August 11

Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today held a press conference in Bhopal on the program of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 11th August, 2024. Shri Chouhan said that agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and farmers are its soul. Today, agriculture sector provides employment to about 50% people. If the farmer is a producer, then he is also the biggest consumer. The farmer buys something and that increases the GDP.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that the top priority of Modiji is the farmer. We have been saying that we will increase the income of farmers, strengthen the agriculture sector and the roadmap for increasing income is –

1 - Increasing production 2 - Reducing production cost 3 - Giving fair price for agricultural produce 4 - Compensation for loss in natural disaster 5 - Diversification of agriculture, not just traditional crops, fruits, flowers, medicine, beekeeping, value addition, making different things from raw material and 6 - Natural farming. We are continuously working on these 6 dimensions under the leadership of Modi ji.

Shri Chouhan said that if we want to increase production and reduce cost, we need good seeds. Due to climate change, the temperature of the earth's surface is increasing. We need such seeds that are climate friendly, can give proper yield, use of pesticides is reduced. Producing seeds, making seeds by doing research, this work is very important. ICAR is continuously engaged in this work. Recently 109 varieties of seeds have been prepared. 23 varieties of cereals, 9 of rice, 2 of wheat, 1 of barley, 6 of maize, 1 of sorghum, 1 of millet, 1 of ragi, 1 of chheena, 1 of samba, 2 of tur, 2 of gram, 3 of lentil, 1 of peas, 2 of moong, 7 varieties of overall oilseeds. 7 varieties of fodder, 7 varieties of sugarcane, 5 of cotton, 1 of jute, 40 varieties of horticulture.

The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that our scientists have done research and have developed a variety of rice that gives higher yield and requires 20% less water. Efforts have also been made to reduce pest infestation along with production.

Shri Chouhan informed that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release 109 crop varieties in Pusa, Delhi on 11th August, 2024. There are different varieties for different agro-climatic zones. Seed varieties have been prepared for area specific crops. There is no big program for release, rather the Prime Minister will go to the field and release the crops. Tomorrow the Prime Minister will visit ICAR fields and release seed varieties at three places.

Shri Chouhan said that lab to land, science should reach the farmer directly, the benefit of research should reach the farmer. Efforts have been made to have everything at one place.The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that I am happy to say that the agriculture budget which used to be around Rs. 27 thousand crores in the UPA government, is now Rs. 1.52 lakh crores including allied sectors. Last year, a subsidy of Rs. 1 lakh 95 thousand crores was provided on fertilizers.

The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that this year there is a provision of subsidy of 1 lakh 70 thousand crores, but if the consumption increases, then it will also increase.

Shri Chouhan said that this year a special package of 2,625 crores has been given, because due to international conditions, the fertilizer ships have to take a detour. This also takes time, so that that burden does not fall on the farmer, this special package has been given.The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister further said that irrigation is important in agriculture, for this there is a budget of the Ministry of Water Power, it is also for the water of the fields.

Shri Chouhan said that unprecedented provision has been made in agriculture. The Cabinet has made a provision to build 2 crore houses for the poor in rural areas.

The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that horticulture is also important in the field of agriculture. The fruit plants are not made from seeds, but from cuttings. If there is a virus in the original cutting, then the virus also spreads to the other cuttings. For this, Rs. 1,700 crore has been approved for the Clean Plant Program. We have a complete system for the farmers who will cultivate fruits in the field of horticulture, 9 centers will be built for this. Shri Chouhan said that efforts are being made to continuously improve the field of agriculture and rural development.