PR No – 84
25th March, 2025
New Delhi
Use Technology to improve Soil quality and agricultural output, says Shri Bhagirath Choudhary , Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India MoAFW at PHDCCI’s National Agri Input Conclave 2025
Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India MoAFW urged farmers to get their soil tested to understand its specific needs and highlighted that research centres and FPOs are available to support them, while speaking at National Agri Input Conclave 2025 organised by PHDCCI today at PHD HOUSE, New Delhi with the theme Walking the Green Mile towards Viksit Bharat by Ensuring Food Security, Economic Growth and Self Sufficiency by 2047.
He further appreciated the efforts of scientists, industrialists, and farmers and said that their hard work has made India self-reliant in grain production. He added that under Hon’ble PM Modi’s leadership, more than 81 crore people are receiving free food grains. However, several challenges remain, and he warned that extremes are never beneficial.
While India is self-sufficient in grain production, challenges persist in pulses and oilseeds. Speaking on the fluctuating agricultural prices he stressed the importance of focusing on high-value products. He also highlighted the benefits of millet and discussed that its nutritional value increases when reheated, unlike wheat, which loses its nutrients.
He also informed that with the technological advancements, today the millet crop cycle has reduced from 120 days to 70 days. The Minister expressed that the agriculture will be the biggest industry in the future and it requires greater attention and investment from the Industry.
Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister for Jal Shakti, Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI while deliberating on Government schemes, discussed that Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme may seem small if we look at it from the point of view of a farmer but nearly ₹3 lakh crore has been invested into the overall rural economy.
He informed, India is an agrarian country, and until we work on agriculture we cannot progress further. Further, in areas where groundwater is depleting, the initiative of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari has been introduced. Pesticides and insecticides pose a health hazard to farmers but today, we are using drones to spray them, said the Hon’ble Minister.
He also appreciated PHDCCI’s efforts through such events in supporting the upliftment of farmers and recognized their role in promoting growth and said and the way industrial leaders have come forward today is commendable.
The insurance sector is another area where industry can collaborate with the government to protect farmers from financial shocks. While schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) have provided a safety net for farmers, private insurance companies can work with the government to create innovative products that cover specific regional risks. While emphasizing the contribution of even small farmers to the vision of Viksit Bharat, he urged industry leaders to work together with the government to ensure that the benefits of various initiatives reach every farmer, helping achieve the common goals of self-reliance and sustainability.
Dr. Ramesh Chand, Member, Niti Aayog discussed that the agriculture sector in India is highly complex and diverse. Over the past 10-12 years, significant positive changes have taken place in this sector and given its potential, a fresh and updated approach is required.
He added that a new trend has emerged, where India has surpassed its previous growth rate. Despite COVID-19, the overall growth rate of the agriculture sector is 4%, with around six states recording growth above 5%. He informed that the prices of agricultural products have increased by 30% more than other products, benefiting the farmers.
Dr. Chand also highlighted that after India joined the WTO, agricultural exports doubled within three years. In the 1960s, while the per capita food production was 800 grams per day, it has now increased to 2 kg per person per day and is expected to reach 3 kg in the future.
At the same time, per capita grain consumption has decreased by 15%, while the consumption of fruits and vegetables has grown by 7%. He urged farmers not to focus solely on MSP but also to demand support from the government for factors that drive growth, such as R&D, technology, monitoring systems for fake seeds, and a competitive market.
Mr. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, stated that PHDCCI has been working for the development of industry and trade for the past 120 years, with agriculture at the centre of its activities. He commended the government for initiatives like the National Food Security Act, Rashtriya Krishi Kisan Yojana, and Kisan Beema Yojana. He expressed confidence that the strategies and discussions held today will further strengthen India’s agriculture sector and empower our farmers for a sustainable future.
Dr. R. G. Agarwal, Chair, Agribusiness Committee, PHDCCI, emphasized the importance of research and suggested three key measures to empower farmers—providing them with proper training, ensuring fair pricing, and addressing the issue of counterfeit pesticides in the market. He urged farmers to purchase only from sources where a QR code is present for authenticity.
Our soybean production is 25% lower than the USA’s, and cotton production is 20% lower than China’s. Therefore, it is essential to empower small farmers. discussed that If we need to increase production, we must provide our farmers with new technology of improved seeds, pesticides, and advanced technologies like AI and drones. Also with this, the 18% GST on these should be reduced.
He further emphasized on IPR, and discussed that due to its lack of awareness, new seeds and pesticides are not entering our country. We must focus on and respect IPR, as only then can our farmers and the nation move forward in global competition.
Dr. PK Singh, Agricultural Commissioner, Government of India, discussed that to become sustainable and self-reliant by 2047, we must see whether schemes are progressing in that direction or not, such as Kisan Samman Nidhi, under which Government of India has provided nearly ₹3 lakh crore for the rural economy. The Fasal Bima Yojana, where ₹32,000 crore has been collected as a premium, and e-NAM that has also achieved good success.
Announcing the schemes which are the need of the hour and measuring its success is the key to spread the benefit at large and become self reliant. For eg., during COVID-19, agricultural production remained high, but there was a shortage of warehouses. To address this, the Agri Infra Fund was established, with work worth ₹60,000 crore currently underway.
Other such successful initiatives are Natural Farming Mission,the National Millet Mission to promote good health and sustainability, Digital Agriculture Mission, where efforts are being made through Agri Stack to create a digital identity for farmers and Oilseed Mission, a seven-year program aimed at increasing production along with the value chain of oilseeds and pulses which are the most imported commodities.
Vote of thanks was Delivered by Mr. Abhishek Aggarwal, President & COO, Bharat Group, where he informed that a lot of innovation has been done by agro chemical industry and urged him for farmer literacy to promote and bring in lot of molecules in the agriculture industry
The Conclave reflects PHDCCI’s shared commitment to making India self-reliant and food-secure. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, bridging the gap between hunger and food security, and understanding India’s future in the agri-input market.
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Warm Regards,
Media Division, PHDCCI