Union Agriculture Minister Addresses Fertiliser Supply and Black Marketing Issues Amid Middle East Crisis
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) The Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held an important review meeting on Wednesday, focusing on bolstering fertiliser supplies and tackling black marketing amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as stated in an official release.
The meeting aimed to ensure strategic readiness for the approaching Kharif season, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Chouhan highlighted the necessity of providing a fair and consistent supply of fertilisers. He instructed officials to hasten the implementation of 'Farmer IDs' to enhance transparency in the distribution process. Furthermore, he plans to meet with chief ministers and state agriculture ministers to coordinate these efforts effectively.
Strict measures against black marketing and hoarding of fertilisers and seeds to exploit the global crisis were also a focal point of discussion, according to the minister.
Chouhan urged state governments to adopt rigorous actions in this regard.
The meeting assessed the availability of agro-chemicals and essential gases necessary for drying seeds. The minister also stressed the importance of sufficient packaging materials, especially for milk and other agricultural goods, in light of the global crisis. Directives were issued to collaborate with the Ministry of Petroleum and other relevant bodies to guarantee supply continuity.
A 'Special Cell' has been established for continuous monitoring of the agricultural sector, which will provide weekly updates to the Union Agriculture Minister regarding the availability of fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides.
The Agriculture Minister urged senior officials to adopt a proactive approach during crises and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring timely delivery of agricultural resources.
Earlier this week, Chouhan noted that agricultural production in the nation has seen a 44% increase over the past decade, leading to a doubling of incomes for numerous farmers.
The Central Government has initiated a comprehensive campaign aimed at enhancing farmers’ productivity and income through record procurement at Minimum Support Price, as highlighted by the minister during the Lok Sabha session.
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