Chouhan praises Haryana for reducing farm fires, procuring 23 crops on MSP
Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan commended the Haryana Government for its efforts in reducing stubble burning and procuring 23 crops at minimum support price (MSP). He acknowledged the state’s strides in promoting crop diversification and technology-driven solutions for sustainable farming but refrained from commenting on the ongoing farmers’ agitation.
“Haryana has excelled in stubble management and farmers are increasingly aware of its environmental impacts. The state is also promoting crop diversification. Farmers from Punjab and UP are also becoming aware of it,” said Chouhan during his visit to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), where he laid the foundation stone for a microbiome analysis facility and a seed storage structure.
When questioned about the farmers' protests, Chouhan said, “Farmers' concerns are always my priority. I meet farmers regularly and their issues are always important to me.”
During his district-wide tour, Chouhan visited Sultanpur village, a model for rural development, where he emphasised women empowerment and sustainable development. “It was my desire to visit villages and meet farmers. Sultanpur is a complete, developed and model village. The five-pond system, e-library, and clean environment here are exemplary. There is not a single FIR recorded in this village, which shows its progressive mindset. Such thinking will take this village even further,” he said.
Chouhan interacted with women at a self-help group centre and commended the "Drone Didi" initiative after observing a drone demonstration. He highlighted women empowerment initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, which aim to economically uplift women earning over Rs 1 lakh annually.
“Empowering women economically boosts their confidence and contributes to national growth. Initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India,” Chouhan said.
He also visited a house constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) and personally engaged with the family.
At the NDRI, Chouhan stressed innovation in agriculture and animal husbandry to improve yields, cut costs and ensure fair prices for farmers. He praised NDRI and IIWBR for their contributions to dairy research and climate-resilient wheat varieties. “Institutes like NDRI and IIWBR are a source of national pride. Their innovative cloning and seed development techniques are remarkable,” he said, assuring enhanced budgets for ICAR institutes to promote research and innovation.
