Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, on May 18, spearheaded the Farmers’ Convention, Krishi Samvad, under the Vikasit Krushi Sankalp Abhiyan at the Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Addressing a large gathering of farmers, agricultural scientists, and dignitaries, Minister Chauhan announced transformative initiatives aimed at revolutionising Indian agriculture, with a unifying theme of “One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team.” Alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, he felicitated progressive farmers from the Nagpur division for their exemplary contributions to natural farming, organic farming, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
A Unified Vision for Indian Agriculture
During his address, Minister Chauhan articulated a bold vision for agricultural development, declaring, “Today we are announcing ‘One Nation, One Agriculture, and One Team’ from Maharashtra.” He emphasised the need for collaboration among the Union Government, State Government, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and other agricultural institutes to work as a cohesive unit. “If all the institutions are connected, targets are set, roadmaps are made, then miracles can be made in agriculture,” Chauhan asserted, underscoring the potential for transformative outcomes through unified efforts.
Praising the progressive farmers of Maharashtra, Chauhan described the state as “the holy land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” with “hardworking and progressive” farmers who possess “infinite possibilities.” He lauded Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his relentless efforts to “transform the agricultural landscape and the fate of the farmers,” adding, “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our farmers should become self-reliant, their income should increase, for this we all will work together as a team.”
Key Announcements and Inaugurations
National Soil Spectral Library and Maharashtra’s Soil Map
A landmark achievement highlighted during the event was the inauguration of the National Soil Spectral Library by Minister Chauhan and Chief Minister Fadnavis. Developed by the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) using hyperspectral sensor technology, the library includes critical data on soil pH value, density, and elemental composition. With this initiative, Maharashtra became the first state in India to have a comprehensive soil map, a milestone that Chauhan hailed as a step toward bridging the gap between scientific research and practical farming.
Clean Plant Program and New Laboratory in Pune
Chauhan announced the establishment of a national-level laboratory in Pune under the Clean Plant Program, dedicated to researching original plant varieties to ensure pure and disease-free nurseries. “This laboratory will be set up in Pune for research on the original species of plants,” he stated, emphasising the program’s role in enhancing agricultural productivity. He urged farmers to adopt high-quality seeds, conduct soil testing, and reduce production costs, noting, “To increase production, farmers should understand the need for good quality seeds, soil testing, and reduction in production costs.”
AI-Based Smart Trap Technology
Another significant launch was the AI-based Smart Trap technology aimed at managing the pink bollworm pest, a major threat to cotton crops. Chauhan explained that this innovative technology would alert farmers to pest infestations, enabling timely interventions to protect yields. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into agriculture.
Strengthening Agricultural Research and Extension
Chauhan highlighted the extensive network of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which operates 113 institutes across India, 11 of which are in Maharashtra. To further agricultural development in the state, he announced that a meeting with the heads of all ICAR institutes would be convened at NBSS & LUP in Nagpur to strategise and set actionable goals. “The government is committed to bridging the gap between laboratories and farmlands,” Chauhan affirmed.
He also outlined plans to leverage ICAR’s 16,000 agricultural scientists for grassroots outreach. During a 15-day campaign from May 29 to June 12, scientists, alongside agricultural extension officers, will visit villages to educate farmers on new seed varieties, innovative farming practices, and sustainable techniques for the Kharif season. “Scientists will visit villages as a team along with agricultural extension officers to educate farmers about new seed varieties and innovative farming practices,” Chauhan said, reinforcing the focus on knowledge transfer.
Regional Development and State Government Collaboration
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis provided insights into the Wainganga-Nalganga River Linking Project, which aims to enhance irrigation capacity in the Vidarbha region. He affirmed the state government’s full cooperation with the inclusive agricultural policy outlined by Chauhan, stating, “The state government will fully cooperate with the inclusive policy outlined by Shivraj Singh Chauhan for the entire nation.”
State Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate raised concerns about labour shortages for cotton picking, a significant challenge for farmers. He noted that research and development are underway for battery-operated small tractors to address this issue, with results to be presented to the Agriculture Ministry if successful. “Labor shortages for cotton picking have become a challenge. Research and development are underway for battery-operated small tractors,” Kokate said.
Honouring Progressive Farmers
A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of farmers from the Nagpur division who have excelled in natural farming, organic farming, and Farmer Producer Organisations. Minister Chauhan and Chief Minister Fadnavis personally honoured these farmers, extending their best wishes for their continued contributions to sustainable agriculture. The ceremony underscored the government’s commitment to recognising and promoting innovative farming practices.
A Broader Vision for a Developed India
Chauhan connected the agricultural initiatives to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “glorious, powerful, prosperous, rich, and developed India.” He stated, “Our Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi is dedicated to taking the country forward. Modiji’s goal is to build a glorious, powerful, prosperous, rich, and developed India.” The Vikasit Krushi Sankalp Abhiyan and Krishi Samvad are integral to this mission, aiming to empower farmers and enhance agricultural productivity.
Event Details and Attendance
The Krishi Samvad program saw a significant turnout of farmers, agricultural officers, and dignitaries from the Nagpur division. Notable attendees included Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate, Minister Shri Ashish Jaiswal, Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat. The event was organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Mumbai and posted on May 18, 2025, at 5:52 pm.
The Krishi Samvad in Nagpur marked a pivotal moment for Indian agriculture, with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan outlining a collaborative and technology-driven roadmap under the “One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team” theme. From the inauguration of the National Soil Spectral Library to the launch of AI-based pest management technology and the establishment of a new research laboratory in Pune, the initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to modernising agriculture. As Maharashtra leads the way with its soil map and progressive farmers, the event underscored the collective resolve of the Central and State Governments to empower farmers and realise Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India.
