On the ninth day of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Pawwala Sauda village in the Doiwala block of Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, where he directly engaged with local farmers during a Kisan Chaupal.
Sitting on a traditional cot in the middle of the fields, Chouhan listened to farmers’ concerns and offered practical solutions on key issues such as seed availability, irrigation, crop insurance, marketing, and fair pricing. Farmers growing litchi, basmati rice, jackfruit, and vegetables shared their challenges and suggestions during the open discussion.
The event saw the presence of Uttarakhand’s Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi and senior state officials. Chouhan also planted a sapling as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, reinforcing the government's commitment to environmental sustainability along with agricultural development.
Speaking at the Chaupal, Chouhan said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government is focused on doubling farmers' income and achieving the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. He emphasized that his own background as a farmer gives him a deep understanding of the real issues faced by the farming community. His field visit aimed to directly assess how well central schemes are being implemented at the grassroots level and to gather firsthand feedback from farmers.
He instructed local officials to quickly address the farmers’ concerns and assured that both central and state governments will collaborate to make Uttarakhand a national leader in horticulture. He highlighted that the state’s produce, particularly fruits, grains, and vegetables, is of excellent quality and holds strong potential in the global market.
Addressing the media, Chouhan expressed that visiting the sacred land of Uttarakhand rejuvenates one’s spirit and praised the state government’s initiatives in agriculture under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership.
He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to expanding access to modern farming technologies, promoting natural farming practices, encouraging innovation, and enhancing water conservation efforts to ensure that agriculture remains profitable and sustainable for future generations.
