On the sixth day of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Narayangaon, Pune, where he engaged directly with farmers and agricultural scientists, reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmer welfare, innovation, and modernization in agriculture.
Earlier in the day, Chouhan toured the Narayangaon APMC, the local tomato market, farms, and a cold storage facility, where he interacted with farmers cultivating tomatoes and other crops.
During the interaction, the Minister announced that the government is preparing to enact a stringent law aimed at cracking down on the manufacture and distribution of fake fertilizers and pesticides. “Strict action will be taken against any company or individual involved in such malpractices,” Shri Chouhan said, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance approach to harmful agricultural inputs that jeopardize both yields and farmer incomes.
Stressing the importance of practical support, Chouhan urged agricultural scientists to step out of their labs and into the fields. “Scientists must understand local conditions and advise farmers accordingly. Our 16,000 agricultural scientists must work hand-in-hand with farmers to deliver real impact,” he stated.
He also directed scientists to focus on developing tomato and grape varieties with longer shelf life, and emphasized the need for increased research in agri-processing and adaptation to climate change.
Chouhan also outlined the government’s revised Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for TOP crops—Tomato, Onion, and Potato. Under this initiative, the Central Government will bear transportation costs when farmers move their produce to other states offering better market prices. The scheme is designed to ensure farmers get remunerative prices while also helping stabilize retail prices for consumers.
Praising the innovative spirit of Maharashtra’s farmers, the Union Minister noted their contributions to modernized farming practices and increased exports of grapes and bananas. He acknowledged the significant strides made in productivity and development of new crop varieties, affirming Maharashtra’s role as a leader in agricultural innovation.
During the interaction, local farmers shared their views on critical issues such as Minimum Support Prices (MSP), losses due to unseasonal rains, and climate change impacts. They also raised concerns about timely access to seeds, equipment, cold storage, and agri-processing centres. Chouhan assured that these concerns will be addressed through collaborative efforts between the Centre and State Governments, and announced the creation of an area-wise agricultural roadmap.
