Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with farmers in Telangana on June 9, 2025, as part of the ongoing ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, which entered its twelfth day. The campaign, aimed at transforming Indian agriculture through collective participation and innovation, has already seen the involvement of millions of farmers across the country.
During his visit, the minister engaged directly with farmers at Mansonpally village in Ranga Reddy district, attended a Kisan Chaupal at Ramachandraguda, and addressed a larger gathering in Mangalpally, Ibrahimpatnam.
Speaking at the event, Chouhan praised Telangana’s farmers for adopting diversification and integrated farming systems, which he said were helping improve agricultural yields and boost incomes.
He acknowledged the region's progressive practices like intercropping palm and papaya, cultivating tomatoes and flowers, and operating profitable nurseries. One farmer reportedly earns Rs 3 lakh per acre through such efforts, an example the minister cited as a model of success. He reassured the farming community that the government is working tirelessly to remove all obstacles hindering their prosperity.
Highlighting the broader vision of the campaign, Chouhan reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy and farmers are its soul. He emphasized the government's unwavering focus on agricultural advancement and farmer empowerment as essential pillars of national development.
Agriculture, which supports nearly half of India’s population and contributes 18% to GDP, saw a robust 5.4% growth in the last quarter.
Chouhan laid out four core objectives: safeguarding national food security, ensuring fair pricing for farm produce, providing nutritious food to India’s population, and preserving soil health to promote sustainable farming.
He stressed the importance of closing the gap between scientific research and farming practices. Under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, over 16,000 scientists in 2,170 teams are being dispatched to villages nationwide to share tailored advice based on local conditions.
Declaring that “the farmer is the true scientist,” Chouhan urged researchers to prioritize real-world challenges faced by cultivators and orient their work accordingly. He expressed optimism that the Indian Institute of Millets Research in Telangana will emerge as a global leader in promoting millets, known locally as “Anna,” and called for intensified research into palm oil cultivation in the region.
As part of immediate relief and market support, Chouhan announced that farmers growing tomatoes, potatoes, and onions will benefit from the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). Under the scheme, the central government will cover transportation costs for these crops when sold outside state borders and ensure the provision of adequate storage infrastructure. He also emphasized the government’s focus on enabling small and marginal farmers to adopt integrated farming models for better yields and higher profits.
The event was also attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MLA Chamal Kiran Kumar Reddy, ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat, and several central and state government officials.
