Jaipur, April 7 (NationPress) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan delivered a significant address at the opening ceremony of the Western Regional Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. He outlined three pivotal goals.

He first emphasized the necessity of ensuring food security for the population and maintaining a steady supply of grains, fruits, milk, and other essentials. He reiterated India's commitment to becoming self-reliant in food production, echoing the Prime Minister's vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. While current stocks of wheat and rice are adequate, he acknowledged that the upcoming challenge lies in efficient storage, demonstrating the advancements achieved thus far. He pointed out the critical need to diminish import reliance, particularly in the production of pulses and oilseeds, as India continues to depend on imports to satisfy its demand.

Next, the Minister highlighted the importance of enhancing farmers’ income and improving their living standards. He stated that farmers, who diligently cultivate high-quality crops, deserve increased earnings and an improved quality of life, stressing that concerted efforts should aim at boosting their income.

Finally, he addressed nutrition security, emphasizing the obligation to supply nutritious food to the nation. This entails boosting both production and productivity, lowering input costs, and ensuring farmers receive just compensation. He also acknowledged challenges posed by climate change, such as unexpected weather impacting crops, and referred to initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana designed to mitigate such risks.

The Union Minister further advocated for agricultural diversification, noting that modern farming techniques necessitate this shift. However, he pointed out that the prevalence of small landholdings in India creates challenges compared to larger farms in nations like the US and Brazil. He underscored the significance of integrated farming as a promising opportunity, with several model initiatives already in place.

Chouhan also stressed the importance of safeguarding land for future generations through sustainable practices like natural farming. He highlighted the vital role of innovation in agriculture, stating that there has been a special focus on natural farming, advanced agricultural techniques, and leveraging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.

He pointed out that crop selection, seed types, and farming methods should be compatible with agro-climatic conditions.

During his address, he underscored the significance of Farmer IDs, which he believes will lay the groundwork for the future of farming. This system would streamline operations for farmers, allowing them easier access to services like banking without the need for multiple documents.

He commended states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra for their progress in this area, advocating for the widespread adoption of these innovations.

On the occasion of World Health Day, he urged everyone to prioritize their health. Chouhan noted that while regional conferences were not always customary, they were established to facilitate in-depth discussions about agricultural matters. This led to the introduction of the concept of agro-climatic zones to accommodate the diverse weather patterns and cropping practices across regions.

As a result, the idea of organizing various regional conferences was born to cater to the specific needs of different areas. Following discussions with the Prime Minister, the decision was made to hold five such conferences, with the first taking place in Rajasthan for the western region. He expressed satisfaction with the seriousness with which all states have approached this initiative. Participants from Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan were in attendance at the conference.

Earlier, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma extended a warm welcome to the Union Minister.

In a social media post, he stated, “Today, at the Chief Minister’s residence, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri @ChouhanShivraj, with a bouquet. Our discussions focused on agricultural development, farmer welfare, innovation, and various public welfare schemes. With your guidance and support, Rajasthan is making steady progress toward realizing the vision of a ‘Golden Rajasthan’.”