Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday (October 25, 2025) visited the ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, as part of his “One Agriculture - One Nation - One Team” initiative.
During his visit, Chouhan interacted with progressive farmers, women self-help groups (SHGs), and rural youth while reviewing the region’s agricultural achievements. He lauded the innovative work of KVK Vellore, particularly the Wild Boar Repellent technology that offers a practical solution to protect crops from wild animal damage. He also praised the dissemination of high-yielding pulse varieties like VBN-8, VBN-10, and VBN-11 under the Seed Hub and Pulses Mission.
The Minister patiently heard farmers’ concerns, especially regarding pest and disease issues affecting coconut crops, and assured that the Centre would take concrete measures to address them. On the issue of declining mango prices caused by overproduction, Chouhan said that efforts are underway to establish value-addition and processing units to help stabilize prices and generate local employment.
He also announced that all eligible farmers in Tamil Nadu would soon be linked to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme to ensure maximum coverage and timely financial support.
In two separate ‘Chaupals’, Chouhan engaged with farmers from Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram districts under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY). He highlighted that the scheme integrates 36 programmes from 11 central ministries, aiming to provide holistic benefits across agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors.
Emphasizing natural farming and the National Pulses Mission, the Minister said that the initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would make India self-reliant in pulses production. He added that Tamil Nadu farmers would benefit immensely through advanced technologies, improved seed varieties, and better market linkages.
Expressing admiration for Tamil Nadu’s farmers, Chouhan said he was deeply inspired by their dedication and cultural values. He assured them of his continued engagement, promising another visit soon to discuss natural farming initiatives in detail.
The event witnessed the participation of top agricultural officials, including TNAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. R. Tamizhvendan, ICAR-ATARI Director Dr. Shaik N. Meera, and senior state officers. Hundreds of farmers, along with “Drone Didis” and “Lakhpati Didis” from self-help groups, also took part in the programme.
