Shivraj Chouhan Meets Assam, Rajasthan Agri Ministers

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre’s strong commitment to supporting farmers, addressing regional agricultural challenges, and enhancing rural development in Assam and Rajasthan during meetings with respective state agriculture ministers.

Highlights:

• The Union Minister held meetings with Assam’s Atul Bora and Rajasthan’s Dr. Kirori Lal Meena at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi.
• Addressed flood and drought issues in Assam; pledged visit to affected areas.
• Directed ICAR to notify suitable crop varieties for Assam.
• Relaxed Digital Farmer Registry for PMFBY in Assam.
• Approved extension for organic farming mission in North East.
• Addressed Rajasthan’s concern over counterfeit agri-inputs; promised strict legislation.
• Reiterated Centre’s resolve to stand by farmers through any adversity.

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today held separate high-level meetings at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi with Assam Agriculture Minister Shri Atul Bora and Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena. The talks focused on key agricultural challenges and explored opportunities for rural development in both states.

During his meeting with Shri Bora, the Union Minister expressed concern over the recent floods that devastated several districts in Assam, while other regions simultaneously experienced drought-like conditions. Shri Chouhan assured full central support, announcing plans to visit flood-affected regions soon to assess the situation firsthand. “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of the state in any natural calamity,” he affirmed.

To address Assam’s request for the notification of certain unapproved crop varieties, Shri Chouhan directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to expedite the notification of crop types like rajma, masoor (lentils), arhar (pigeon pea), sunflower, fodder maize, garlic, and onion, tailored to Assam’s agro-climatic conditions.

He further strengthened support by approving a one-year extension of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER). To enhance farmer access to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), he also directed officials to relax the mandatory requirement for Digital Farmer Registry. The meeting saw participation from Union Agriculture Secretary Shri Devesh Chaturvedi and senior officials from both the Centre and Assam.

In the separate meeting with Rajasthan’s Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena, Shri Chouhan was apprised of the state’s proactive measures to curb the circulation of counterfeit seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. He assured that the issue is being taken with utmost seriousness and that the Centre is already in the process of formulating tougher legislation to prevent fraud against farmers.

“I’ve urged all state Chief Ministers to take firm action. The central government stands firmly with farmers — anyone cheating them will face strict consequences,” he stated.

These meetings underscore the Centre’s renewed focus on regional agricultural resilience, farmer welfare, and rural prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.