Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets farmers who attended Independence Day celebrations in Delhi as Special Guests

“If we buy Swadeshi products, we ourselves will provide employment to millions of people” – Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with farmers, who attended the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi as Special Guests, at Pusa Campus yesterday. On this occasion, Shri Chouhan administered a pledge to the farmers to adopt the Swadeshi (indigenous) movement as per the call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, stating that if we buy goods made in our own states and country, we will generate employment for millions of people in India. 

 Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan paid tributes to all the freedom fighters whose sacrifice brought India its independence. He said that independence was not simply handed to us by the British. Thousands of revolutionaries went to the gallows smiling. With the Gita in one hand, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, and firm resolve in their hearts, they embraced martyrdom, he said.

Shri Chouhan referred to Prime Minister Modi’s mention of “Operation Sindoor”, sending a clear message that India does not provoke anyone, but if someone provokes India, they will not be spared. Through Operation Sindoor, India avenged the killing of 26 innocent people. Paying tribute to the valour of our soldiers, he reminded us that the peace we enjoy is because they guard our borders day and night. 

“There will be no agreement that will harm the interests of our farmers” – Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Shri Chouhan said that “Swadeshi” means goods made within the country. The Prime Minister has urged people with emotional conviction to use Swadeshi products. If we buy goods produced locally, made by women’s Self-Help Groups, we can create employment for millions. If we buy earthen lamps from our potters for Diwali, not only will our homes shimmer with light, but theirs, too, will shine with the light of employment. 

Union Minister Shri Chouhan stressed that the Prime Minister has placed farmers’ welfare and national interest above all else. India’s rapid development has made some parts of the world uneasy. Our philosophy is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family — and our agreements are based on equality. He cited India’s agreement with the UK, under which Indian agricultural products can be exported to the UK without any duty or tax.

However, he warned that if an agreement allowed a flood of cheap foreign produce like maize, soybeans, or wheat into India, it would ruin Indian farmers, as there is no comparison between our small farms (1–5 acres) and huge foreign farms (10,000–20,000 hectares). Such cheap imports would depress prices and make it impossible for Indian farmers to recover their costs. He commended Prime Minister Modi for assuring that no agreement will be made that harms the interests of our farmers, livestock rearers, or fishers. 

“For a good Rabi crop, agricultural scientists will again visit villages from October 3 to 18” — Union Agriculture Minister

 Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan further said that the Prime Minister has emphasised that the government should be visible not in files, but in the lives of people. He gave the example of his recent field visit, where farmers complained that a herbicide meant to destroy weeds had destroyed their crops instead. He ordered FIRs against such companies and called for strict action. Steps are being taken to ensure that all schemes reach farmers effectively. 

For the first time, agricultural scientists have gone to villages, taking the lab to the land, working together with farmers for better productivity. They will do this again from October 3 to 18. A two-day conference is also planned to improve Rabi crop outcomes, he informed. The Minister stated, “Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, and farmers are its soul. As Agriculture Minister, I consider serving farmers to be a form of worshipping God.” 

The event was attended by Ministers of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR DG Dr. M.L. Jat, along with other senior officials. The vote of thanks was delivered by Joint Secretary Smt. Perin Devi.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.