Shivraj Chouhan interacts with Punjab farmers; stresses on crop diversification

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is on a one-day visit to Punjab on Thursday.

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During his visit, Chouhan will participate in various programs across Patiala.

The minister interacted with farmers at a 'Kisan Chaupal' (farmer gathering) in Rajpura, Patiala. Later, Chouhan visited Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Rauni.

As part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, the minister has been engaging with farmers across various states to promote sustainable and progressive farming practices.

During the visit, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian drew attention to the efforts of progressive farmers in the region. He highlighted one farmer in particular who has consistently adopted the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) model and has not burnt paddy residue for over a decade.

Khudian also raised concerns about the shortfall in DAP fertilizer supply, stating that while the requirement is around 90,000 metric tonnes, only 38,000 to 39,000 MT has been received so far.

On the issue of crop diversification, Khudian noted that while Rs 17,000 in compensation was promised, farmers have so far received only Rs 10,000.

“We are setting our mother earth on fire by indulging in stubble burning,” Khudian said, urging the Union Minister to enhance compensation schemes to further discourage farm fires. He also noted that stubble burning incidents during the Kharif season have decreased by 86 per cent.

Responding to the concerns, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “I am not a guest here; I am a family member.”

“I’m not here for rhetoric,” he added. “I’m here to directly interact with farmers and understand the ground reality. Our focus should be to connect land and lab, so that farmers benefit from real-time innovation. Policies should come from the field — not from officers in air-conditioned rooms,” Chouhan said, lauding the efforts of farmers and scientists for achieving record agricultural production.

He also encouraged farmers to adopt the DSR method, citing its benefits in water conservation and reduced labour costs. He also urged them to refrain from excessive pesticide use.

On suspension of the Indus Water Treaty by India following the Pahalgam terror attack, Chouhan claimed that 80 per cent of country’s water was flowing into Pakistan.

“Now, this water will be used for farming in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan,” he said.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Union Minister is scheduled to take part in a tree plantation drive in Patiala. He will also visit an exhibition of modern agricultural machinery in Amargarh, followed by a tour of a farm mechanisation industry in the same area.

His visit comes at a time when farmers are up in arms against the state government over the issue of missing tractor trolleys, following the sudden crackdown on protesting farmers on March 20 and the eviction of the Shambhu and Khanauri Morcha. Tight security has been deployed to prevent any potential protests during the visit.