Emphasizes role of education, research, and technology in achieving 5% agri growth
NEW DELHI, 30 May 2025: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for a unified national approach to agricultural development under the vision of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team.”
Speaking at the Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and Directors of ICAR Institutes, the Minister emphasized that agricultural education, research, and extension are the three critical pillars for transforming Indian agriculture and ensuring farmer prosperity.
Addressing the media at the event, Shri Chouhan stated that India’s agricultural sector remains the backbone of the economy, supporting around 50% of the population and contributing 18% to the national GDP. He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining a 5% agricultural growth rate, which he described as essential for achieving a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047.
“The vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Viksit Bharat is anchored in the principle of ‘Viksit Krishi aur Samruddh Kisan’ (Developed Agriculture and Prosperous Farmers),” he said, adding that India’s future growth depends on cohesive efforts by agricultural universities, state departments, ICAR institutions, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
Shri Chouhan highlighted the importance of modern technology and targeted R&D in bridging productivity gaps between states. “While 93% of agricultural land is under food grain cultivation, the productivity of pulses and oilseeds remains a challenge, with growth rates stuck at around 1.5%. We must accelerate genome editing and other technologies to overcome this,” he said.
He noted that India aims to become a $5 trillion economy, and for that, the agriculture sector must contribute at least $1 trillion. Efforts are underway to raise agricultural exports from 6% to 20%, improve yield consistency across regions, and deploy innovation-led solutions that are accessible to even small landholders.
The Minister also pointed to structural changes in landholding patterns. “With average land holdings expected to shrink to 0.6 hectares by 2047, diversification beyond food grains is not optional—it is imperative,” he said. Allied sectors such as beekeeping, fisheries, animal husbandry, and horticulture are being prioritized to enhance income sources for farmers.
Shri Chouhan expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for allocating funds in the Union Budget for a new National Gene Bank. He informed the press that two genome-edited rice varieties have already been developed and similar efforts are underway for soybean, urad, chana, and tur to improve yield and resilience.
Underscoring the urgency of water-efficient farming, he said, “The goal is to maximize output with minimal water per hectare. We are setting both short-term and long-term targets to meet these challenges through coordinated institutional efforts.”
The conference concluded with consensus among stakeholders that achieving the 5% agricultural growth rate is feasible, provided India leverages research outcomes, institutional synergies, and farmer-centric policies effectively.
