Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparedness of the agriculture sector in view of prevailing global uncertainties and ahead of the upcoming Kharif season.
The meeting focused on ensuring the timely availability of key agricultural inputs, including fertilizers, seeds and agro-chemicals, while safeguarding the interests of farmers.
During the review, the Minister directed senior officials to adopt a proactive approach to address any emerging challenges. He stressed the need for maintaining an uninterrupted and equitable supply of fertilizers across the country.
Chouhan also instructed officials to expedite the implementation of ‘Farmer ID’, stating that it would enhance transparency in the distribution system. He added that a meeting with Chief Ministers and state Agriculture Ministers would be convened soon to strengthen coordination on the initiative.
Taking note of concerns around possible market distortions, the Minister called for strict action against black marketing and hoarding of fertilizers and seeds. He said states would be encouraged to take stringent measures against such practices, particularly in the current global scenario.
The review also covered the availability of agro-chemicals and gases required for seed drying processes. Chouhan emphasised that there should be no shortage of packaging materials, especially for milk and other agricultural produce. He directed officials to coordinate with the Ministry of Petroleum and other departments to ensure uninterrupted supply.
To strengthen monitoring, the government has set up a special cell for round-the-clock tracking of the availability of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides. The cell will submit weekly reports to the Minister to ensure timely intervention where required.
