£18 Billion Boost for Farm Income Through 100 Horticulture Clusters Announced

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a significant investment of Rs 18,000 crore to establish 100 export-oriented horticulture clusters over the next five years. This initiative aims to enhance farm income and was part of the Modi government's short-term plan for the agricultural sector. Chouhan acknowledged existing challenges in agriculture but criticised Congress for their lack of action post-Independence.

Representative image

Oilseeds Mission and E-NAM Integration

Chouhan also revealed a Rs 6,800 crore oilseeds mission to reduce cooking oil imports. He mentioned plans to amend pesticide management laws and integrate over 1,500 additional mandis with the e-NAM platform. "There are problems in agriculture, but there are solutions also. We will speak to farmers and farmers association," he stated.

During his speech, Chouhan accused Congress of neglecting the agriculture sector and cited incidents of police firing on farmers under various Congress-led state governments. He highlighted steps taken by the Modi government over the past decade to boost farmers' income, including Rs 6,000 crore assistance under the PM-KISAN scheme.

Congress Walkout and Opposition Uproar

Congress leaders, including Digvijay Singh, sought to discuss issues like a legal guarantee on MSP and alleged inaccuracies in Chouhan's statements. However, they were not permitted to speak, leading to a walkout by Congress members. Chouhan continued his attack on Congress by presenting data on farmer deaths due to police actions during their rule.

Chouhan emphasised cooperation with state governments for farmers' welfare, stating he would work collectively regardless of political affiliations. "We will resolve it through dialogue and will move forward taking everyone along with us hum samvad se samadhan ke taraf badhenge aur sabko sath le kar chalenge," he assured.

Future Vision for Agriculture

Chouhan outlined a vision for India by 2047, as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan, where the country would produce sufficient nutritious food and emerge as a global food basket. He urged political parties not to treat farmers as vote banks but as humans.

After the Question Hour on Monday, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called Chouhan to complete his reply. Opposition members created an uproar over issues like legal assurance of MSP, leading Dhankhar to try pacifying the house and even threatening to name a member.

Chouhan defended the PM-KISAN scheme, stating it has empowered small farmers by providing Rs 6,000 annually. "The Congress has of course always talked about helping farmers. But it has never done that. It was PM Narendra Modi who launched the PM-Kisan scheme," he said.

Reacting to opposition allegations about police firing on farmers during his tenure as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Chouhan accused Congress leaders of having "hands stained with farmers' blood." He claimed that 24 farmers were killed in police firing during Digvijay Singh's tenure.

Chouhan mentioned that he had invited agriculture ministers from all states to discuss farmers' issues collectively. He also proposed giving farmers a digital identity similar to Aadhaar under the Digital Agriculture Mission. This Farmer ID would be linked with state land records, ensuring accurate crop damage assessment through mobile videography and remote sensing.

Chairman Dhankhar informed the house that he had received letters from Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with AAP leader Sanjay Singh, seeking a right to reply under rule 238(2) regarding comments made by Chouhan about loan waivers in Madhya Pradesh during Digvijay Singh's tenure as Chief Minister. However, Dhankhar rejected these requests, stating there was no provision for such replies under rule 238(2).

Chouhan concluded his speech by placing a pen drive containing a video recording of his visit to Sonipat on which Dhankhar asked him to authenticate. The session ended with continued opposition uproar but without further disruptions from Congress members who had walked out earlier.