Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited his farm in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday (August 28, 2025), accompanied by scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). During the visit, he inspected crops of bell pepper, tomato, and paddy, including Pusa Basmati varieties PB 1885, PB 1637, and PB 1. Chouhan highlighted the importance of translating laboratory research into practical solutions for farmers.
ICAR scientists shared insights on seed selection and disease management, particularly addressing threats like stem borer and blast disease in paddy crops. They advised farmers to adopt preventive measures, including resistant varieties and scientific crop management practices, to enhance both yield and quality.
Sharing his experience on X, Chouhan said, “Today, I am standing in my field, observing bell pepper, tomato, and paddy crops with ICAR scientists. We have planted paddy of PB 1885, PB 1637, and PB 1 varieties, developed by Pusa. Farmers, scientists, and policymakers are part of the same team, working together to bring innovations from laboratories to the fields.” He further urged farmers to exercise caution in paddy cultivation and follow the treatments advised by scientists to improve yield and crop quality.
Pusa Basmati 1637 (PB 1637) is a high-yielding, blast-resistant variety with long, slender grains, a strong aroma, and excellent cooking quality, suitable for cultivation in Western UP, Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Punjab.
PB 1885 is valued for its superior cooking quality and tolerance to bacterial leaf blight and blast, offering farmers a reliable option for higher yield. Pusa Basmati 1 (PB 1) is a semi-dwarf, high-yielding variety with excellent grain quality, soft texture, and pleasant aroma, ideal for cultivation in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Western UP, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Chouhan urged farmers to follow the guidance shared by ICAR scientists, emphasizing that adopting these scientific measures would improve crop yield and quality while strengthening sustainable farming practices across the region.
आज मैं अपने खेत में खड़ा हूँ। यहाँ ICAR के वैज्ञानिकों के साथ शिमला मिर्च, टमाटर और धान की फसल देखी। हमने खेत में PB 1885, PB 1637 और PB 1 वैरायटी की धान लगाई है, जो पूसा ने विकसित की है।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 28, 2025
कृषि मंत्री, किसान और वैज्ञानिक एक ही टीम के सदस्य हैं। प्रयोगशालाओं में जो अनुसंधान और… pic.twitter.com/GFyEMLUlnU
