Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Holds Key Meeting with State Agriculture Ministers and Officials
New Delhi, August 14, 2025: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan chaired a crucial meeting in New Delhi with agriculture ministers and senior officials from various states to discuss preparations for the upcoming Rabi crop season and broader agricultural initiatives.
The meeting included participation from Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, and other senior scientists and state representatives. Discussions covered a wide range of topics including fertilizer and urea shortages, certification of bio-stimulants, the upcoming "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan" campaign, the National Natural Farming Mission, increasing pulses and oilseeds production, a five-year agricultural action plan, crop insurance claims in flood-affected areas, and dissemination of a toll-free helpline for farmers' issues.
Minister Chauhan extended Independence Day greetings and shared that the two-day conference for the “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” will be held in New Delhi on September 15-16. The campaign will formally launch on October 3, 2025, coinciding with Vijay Diwas, and run until October 18, Dhanteras. He urged all states to prepare seriously, stressing letters will be sent to chief ministers to ensure high-level participation including agriculture ministers and departmental heads. States were advised to assess fertilizer needs for the Rabi season and be ready for detailed deliberations at the conference.
The National Natural Farming Mission, set to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 23 from Pusa, Delhi, was discussed extensively. Chauhan directed officials to ensure full readiness to meet mission objectives, noting progress under the PM’s Dhan-Dhanya Kisan Yojana in 100 districts.
The minister emphasized strengthening pulses and oilseeds production and urged state ministers to personally champion these missions and schemes. He sounded a note of caution against counterfeit fertilizers and bio-stimulants, highlighting that only 600 bio-stimulant products are certified out of about 30,000 in the market. Strict measures will be taken to ensure only certified products reach farmers and curb forced sales of fertilizers bundled with other chemicals.
Representatives from states including Rajasthan, UP, MP, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Punjab raised concerns about fertilizer shortages and requested additional urea supplies, especially in flood and disaster-affected regions. Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand ministers also sought additional financial assistance.
Chauhan explained that increased urea demand could stem from expanded sowing aided by good rains or misuse of urea for non-agricultural purposes. He assured availability of urea if demanded for farming but warned of strict action against diversion or black-market misuse. He urged states to strengthen monitoring committees to ensure proper fertilizer use.
The minister also tasked officials with developing a five-year agricultural action plan incorporating inputs from progressive farmers and experts. He emphasized wider dissemination of the ministry’s toll-free number to resolve farmer grievances efficiently.
Chauhan reviewed progress on the PM Crop Insurance Scheme, emphasizing transparency and digital payments. He mandated that delayed insurance claim payments by companies or state governments will attract an extra 12% interest payable directly to farmers.
Concluding, Shivraj Singh Chauhan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting farmers', livestock rearers’ and fishermen’s interests under the leadership of the Prime Minister. He reiterated that there will be no compromise on agricultural growth or the welfare of the country’s rural population.