Modern farm machines to reach every village, Shivraj Singh Chouhan outlines big plan

Bhopal/New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government is working to ensure that modern agricultural machinery reaches every village to help farmers tackle climate challenges and improve productivity. Speaking during the Unnat Krishi Mahotsav, he said the focus is on providing farmers with better crop varieties, scientific advisories and advanced tools for sustainable farming.

He highlighted that climate change is increasingly impacting agriculture through unseasonal rainfall, temperature fluctuations and other factors. To address this, scientific institutions are developing new crop varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions such as heat, excess water and drought. Efforts are being made to ensure these improved seeds reach farmers quickly so that production can be increased while reducing risks.

The minister said the government is promoting Custom Hiring Centers and Panchayat-based Farm Machinery Banks so that small and marginal farmers can access expensive equipment at affordable rates. These centres are being set up with the participation of Panchayats, Farmer Producer Organisations and self-help groups. Under schemes like the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation, financial support of 40 to 80 percent is being provided for such projects.

Clarifying on funding, he said Custom Hiring Centers will not be set up through MPLADS funds, as the scheme is meant for creating permanent public assets. Instead, these centres will be supported through dedicated agricultural schemes. He added that MPs and MLAs can still help by promoting awareness, facilitating approvals and monitoring implementation in their constituencies.

Chouhan also pointed to increasing participation from the private sector, noting that partnerships between government bodies, farmer groups and private players can strengthen the model. He said the overall approach is farmer-centric and science-driven, aimed at reducing costs, increasing yields and ensuring stable incomes forfarmers in the long run.