Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday, 18 August convened a 'Sankalp' (pledge) programme at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Pusa, New Delhi, bringing together farmers, scientists, exporters, and rural women to commit to translating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Shakti ki Saptadhara' (Seven Streams of Strength) framework into ground-level action. The event, titled 'New Direction for Agriculture and Rural Development through Shakti ki Saptadhara', drew officials, food processors, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and 'Lakhpati Didis' under one roof to chart a collective course for a 'Viksit Bharat'.

Agriculture as a Core Stream of Saptadhara

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan underlined that agriculture and food processing form a vital pillar of Prime Minister Modi's 'Saptadhara' roadmap — announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. He stressed that the country must move beyond simply raising output and focus equally on quality, safety, and alignment with global standards so that Indian farm produce earns a strong identity in international markets.

'The country must focus not only on increasing agricultural production but also on ensuring quality, safety, and adherence to global standards so that Indian farmers' produce can establish a strong identity in the global market,' Chouhan said. He described the programme as 'not merely a formal event but a collective pledge by the entire family associated with agriculture and rural development.'

Connecting Farmers to Global Markets

A central theme of the event was integrating Indian agriculture with international trade. Chouhan noted that India's diverse farm output — spanning chillies, spices, fruits, flowers, traditional food products, and other commodities — carries significant export potential that remains underutilised. He called for improvements in food processing, packaging, branding, and export linkages to directly boost farmer incomes.

'Farmers, processors, and exporters are interconnected; therefore, there is a need to bring them all onto a single platform to work in a coordinated manner,' he said. He also called for state- and district-level agricultural roadmaps, tailored to local crop profiles and market demand, alongside scientific assessments of both domestic and international market requirements.

Lakhpati Didi Target Doubled to Six Crore

Chouhan highlighted that the original target of empowering three crore rural women as 'Lakhpati Didis' has already been met. Prime Minister Modi has now set a revised target of six crore 'Lakhpati Didis', which the minister described as potentially 'transformative' for the rural economy. Women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are being supported through skill development, financial assistance, market access, and entrepreneurship opportunities to build financial independence.

'Making rural women self-reliant is a crucial prerequisite for building a Viksit Bharat,' Chouhan said. He added that village development — covering housing, roads, water conservation, employment, and agriculture-based livelihoods — remains inseparable from the broader national development goal.

Institutional Coordination and Four Mantras for Success

Chouhan called on the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and state governments to work in concert to ensure that new agricultural technologies reach farmers effectively. He also outlined four guiding principles for those in public service: 'paanv mein chakkar' (staying active and field-connected), 'muh mein shakkar' (maintaining cordial relations), 'seene mein aag' (passion and determination), and 'mathe par barf' (composure in adversity).

The minister administered a formal pledge to all those present, committing them to building a 'developed, prosperous, self-reliant and empowered India.' All stakeholders — farmers, scientists, officials, processors, exporters, FPOs, and SHGs — were called upon to work in a coordinated manner to fulfil the national resolve. The government is expected to follow up with state-level Sankalp events and district-specific agricultural roadmaps in the weeks ahead.