NewDelhi, 5 December (H.S.): Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday asserted in the Rajya Sabha that the Modi government has successfully increased agricultural production, reduced input costs, and ensured fair prices for farmers’ produce.
“Our only formula is the welfare of farmers,” he said during the Question Hour, responding to a query raised bymn Congress MP Mukul Wasnik.Chouhan emphasized that the government fully adheres to the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, providing farmers a 50% profit margin over total production cost through Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
“In several crops, we are offering even more than a 50% return,” he added.Citing comparative data, Chouhan said that before 2014, procurement volumes were far lower.
“During the UPA government (2004–2014), only 46.89 crore metric tonnes of Kharif crops were purchased at MSP, while under the Modi government, procurement reached 81.86 crore metric tonnes. For Rabi crops, purchases rose from 23.02 crore metric tonnes to 35.40 crore metric tonnes.”
He further stated that oilseed procurement increased from 47.75 lakh tonnes to 1.28 crore tonnes, and pulses procurement surged from 6 lakh tonnes to 1.89 crore tonnes.
“This reflects our clear commitment to giving farmers the right value for their produce,” he said.Chouhan remarked that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers are its lifeline, reiterating that farmer welfare is the top priority of the Modi administration. He pointed out that the government has announced double the MSP rates compared to what was offered under the UPA in 2013–14.
Listing crop-specific improvements, Chouhan noted that MSP rates for paddy, jowar, bajra, ragi, tur, moong, urad, groundnut, sunflower, wheat, barley, gram, and mustard have increased substantially, along with corresponding expansion in government procurement.
Taking a dig at the Opposition, Chouhan remarked, “The Congress has been like the elephant — showing one set of tusks while eating with another.”
Addressing state-level issues, Chouhan criticized the Karnataka government for failing to purchase tur (pigeon pea) despite prior approvals. “In 2024–25, when Karnataka asked for approval to purchase only 25 percent instead of 100 percent of the crop, we still sanctioned it. Yet, out of the approved 3,06,150 metric tonnes, the Congress government bought only 2,16,303 metric tonnes,” he said.
He concluded that the previous governments had no consistent policy, whereas the Modi government stands by one clear principle — the welfare of farmers. “Providing the right price for farmers’ produce is our mission, and we will fulfill it under all circumstances,” Chouhan affirmed.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
