JUNE 03: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Narayangaon, Pune, as part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at boosting agricultural modernization and farmer welfare across India.
During the visit, Shri Chouhan interacted with local farmers, toured agricultural fields, the Tomato Market, and a cold storage facility, and lauded the progressive spirit of Maharashtra’s farmers. He also felicitated local agri-entrepreneurs and emphasized the vital role of on-ground interaction between agricultural scientists and farmers. “Scientists must go beyond laboratories and understand real-time challenges in the fields,” he said.
Highlighting the campaign’s vision, he stated, “A developed India is not possible without prosperous farmers.” He noted that 16,000 agricultural scientists across the country must bridge the gap between research and practice to drive meaningful agricultural development.
Addressing a key concern, Shri Chouhan announced the Government’s plan to enact a strict law against counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides, promising tough penalties for those involved in manufacturing or distributing fake agrochemicals. This move aims to safeguard crop quality and farmer interests.
He also detailed the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for TOP crops—Tomato, Onion, and Potato. Under this scheme, if farmers find better prices in other states, the Central Government will cover transportation costs, helping them earn better returns while stabilizing market prices.
Shri Chouhan acknowledged Maharashtra’s strides in crop innovation, noting increased productivity, successful exports of grapes and bananas, and adoption of modern techniques. He encouraged scientists to focus on developing tomato and grape varieties with longer shelf life and invest in post-harvest processing research.
With climate change posing increasing threats, he urged proactive strategies to protect crops from extreme weather events. He emphasized timely scientific guidance for farmers on fertilizers, pest control, and adapting to changing conditions.
The Minister also spoke about creating area-specific agricultural roadmaps through joint efforts of the Centre and State governments.
The event saw the presence of state and central officials, including Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Shri Manikrao Kokate and senior scientists from ICAR and ATARI, underscoring a united push for farmer-centric development.
 in Narayangaon, Pune, as part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan){kind=link}