New chapter in agricultural reforms begins from Jaipur, says Chouhan

A new phase in India’s agricultural reforms has begun from Jaipur, with a renewed focus on food security, farmers’ income, and nutritional outcomes, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday.Addressing a regional agricultural conference, Chouhan said the initiative aims to strengthen the agriculture sector through coordinated efforts between the Centre and states. The meeting brought together representatives from multiple states to deliberate on key challenges and opportunities in the sector.“The objective is to strengthen the agriculture sector in the country, increase farmers’ income, and ensure food security. A comprehensive strategy has been discussed, and a roadmap will be prepared through coordination between the Centre and the states,” he said.The minister also planted a sapling under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative ahead of the conference.

#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan plants a sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative ahead of regional conference.

He says, "The regional conference for agriculture is beginning today...We have 3 objectives. First is the country's food… pic.twitter.com/fAsGRIxMRa

— ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2026

Three Core Priorities Identified
Chouhan outlined three primary goals emerging from the discussions. These include ensuring adequate food reserves to maintain food security, improving farmers’ income and living standards, and providing nutritious food to citizens while contributing to global food supply when needed.
To achieve these objectives, a six-point strategy was discussed, focusing on increasing agricultural production, reducing input costs, ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce, compensating for losses due to natural disasters, promoting crop diversification, and encouraging the adoption of modern technologies.Highlighting structural challenges, the minister stressed the need to reduce dependence on imports, particularly in pulses and oilseeds, where domestic production needs to be scaled up.
Chouhan underlined the importance of innovation in agriculture, with emphasis on natural farming, modern practices, and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.He also pointed to the importance of integrated farming systems and region-specific strategies, noting that crop selection, seed varieties, and farming techniques should align with agro-climatic conditions.
The conference also reviewed the implementation of central schemes and assessed the impact of natural disasters on crops across participating states, including Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.Chouhan emphasised that while the Centre formulates policies and provides resources, effective implementation rests with the states, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach.He also noted that the shift to regional conferences has enabled more detailed and meaningful discussions compared to earlier formats, paving the way for comprehensive planning and stronger coordination across states.