Chouhan calls for science-led farming roadmaps amid climate change threats

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday underscored the urgency of adopting science-based agricultural practices, citing the increasingly visible impact of climate change on farming across India and globally.

At a meeting convened to review the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) proposals of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Chouhan directed officials to fast-track the preparation of state-specific agricultural roadmaps aligned with the agro-climatic conditions of each State, in consultation with respective State Governments.

Officials informed the Minister that the exercise is already underway, with Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Rajasthan among the states that have formally requested such roadmaps, which are expected to be finalised shortly, an official statement said.

Chouhan, expressing satisfaction with ICAR’s action plan, urged officials to accelerate implementation with the aim of meeting targets ahead of schedule.

ICAR Director General and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Dr ML Jat, briefed the Minister on the council’s programmes and activities, as well as its future strategy to maximise benefits for farmers and Indian agriculture broadly.

The Minister reiterated that agriculture remains the primary livelihood for a large share of the population and a bedrock of the Indian economy. He called for all efforts to be directed at making farming more productive, cost-efficient and financially rewarding for cultivators. Chouhan also stressed the need for wide-scale promotion of integrated farming, urging that farmers be encouraged to adopt the model practically, saying it would boost incomes while advancing sustainable agricultural practices.