Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, recently visited the ICAR – Central Avian Research Institute (CARI) located in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. During the visit, he conducted an in-depth review of the institute’s ongoing research activities, achievements, and future plans. Engaging in detailed discussions with scientists and officials, the Minister took keen interest in the technological advancements being made in the poultry sector and how these innovations are being transferred to the ground level to benefit farmers and poultry keepers.
Highlighting the growing importance of the poultry industry in India, Chouhan remarked that it has emerged as a strong driver of employment, nutrition, and income generation across the country. He emphasized that institutions like CARI have a crucial role to play in this sector and called on the scientists to focus on developing cost-effective technologies that ensure higher production while directly benefiting small and marginal livestock farmers.
The Minister also held discussions on key issues such as innovation in poultry farming, biosecurity, disease control, and the development of improved breeds. Stressing the need to bridge the gap between research and rural realities, he said that both policy and technology must go hand in hand to ensure that the fruits of research reach grassroots communities effectively.
At the conclusion of his visit, the Union Minister appreciated the innovations displayed by the institute and expressed confidence in CARI’s potential to become a global hub for poultry research. He directed officials to expand training programs for farmers and poultry entrepreneurs so that scientific techniques could reach more people and make a real impact at the field level.
This visit reflects the government’s strong commitment to prioritizing research and innovation in the fields of agriculture and animal husbandry. By strengthening such institutions and encouraging practical, ground-level application of scientific knowledge, the government aims to empower rural India and ensure that farmers become truly self-reliant in the years ahead.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently interacted directly with farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district under the program titled “Chaupal Par Charcha.” During this grassroots dialogue, he listened to farmers’ concerns, understood their needs, and announced several significant policy changes aimed at strengthening Indian agriculture from the ground up.
One of the major announcements was the removal of the export ban on rice, allowing farmers to access global markets and fetch better prices for their produce. Alongside this, the Minimum Export Price (MEP) condition has also been lifted, providing small and medium-scale farmers with greater opportunities to benefit from international trade.
Responding to farmers’ demand for soil testing facilities at the village level, the Minister said that the government will promote modern soil testing technologies capable of delivering results within just 15 minutes. He assured that a dedicated campaign will be launched to make these tools available at the grassroots level, enabling farmers to make timely and informed decisions about their land.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that agricultural research will now be field-driven rather than confined to laboratories. He said that research and innovation will be aligned with the real-life challenges faced by farmers. Addressing the issue of diseases affecting paddy variety 1509, he instructed scientists to develop disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties as a priority.
Farmers also raised concerns over the quality of fertilizers and pesticides. The Minister reassured them that strict action will be taken against suppliers of substandard products to prevent exploitation of farmers. Quality control will be strengthened to ensure that only genuine inputs reach the fields.
In a notable move, the Minister announced that he will personally spend two days every week in the fields, meeting farmers face-to-face and understanding their issues firsthand. “Policies should not be made on paper alone, they must be rooted in the soil, alongside the farmer,” he remarked.
Farmers participating in the dialogue welcomed the government’s initiatives and suggested that solar energy schemes be made more accessible. In response, the Minister promised that implementation of solar panel schemes will be streamlined to ensure wider adoption.
This outreach is part of the Agriculture Ministry’s new bottom-up approach to policy-making, where real insights from farmers form the foundation of national strategies. It reflects a clear shift toward more participatory governance, ensuring that agricultural policies are not just made for farmers but also with them.
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