VARANASI, 30 June 2025: Union minister for agriculture, farmers welfare, and rural development, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, has called on agricultural scientists to intensify their efforts under the Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign to deliver practical, data-driven solutions to farmers.
Chairing a review meeting on June 27 with researchers at the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Chauhan highlighted the critical need for closer coordination with farmers to improve food quality and expand the adoption of organic and natural farming techniques.
He praised the Lab to Land programme for bridging the gap between research institutions and rural communities, allowing farmers to benefit from advanced agricultural science. Chauhan also underscored the importance of raising awareness around genome editing, seed treatment, and sustainable farming practices to drive vegetable productivity.
“Counterfeit fertilisers, poor-quality seeds, and harmful pesticides are hurting our farmers,” Chauhan warned, demanding strict measures to curb such threats.
He further called for focused research to extend tomato shelf life, develop export-friendly vegetable varieties, and improve dry powder yields, which could open new income streams for growers.
Chauhan urged that farmers must see fair pricing for their crops while their production costs are reduced, and innovation should happen right at the grassroots level.
The minister emphasized building a region-specific plan for the upcoming Rabi season, especially in view of climate change–driven challenges like erratic rainfall and soil degradation.
IIVR Director Dr. Rajesh Kumar shared that under the Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign, IIVR scientists have already reached more than 61,000 farmers across 825 villages in six districts, promoting better farm practices and sustainable solutions.
Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General at ICAR, also presented an overview of current projects supporting vegetable growers across the region.
Chauhan reiterated that India’s 16,000 agricultural scientists have a vital role to play in transforming agriculture with sustainable, innovative, and practical solutions that deliver prosperity to farmers and strengthen food security nationwide.
