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Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday launched a national initiative called ‘Pragati’. Its objective is to bring comprehensive improvement in the income, productivity and livelihood of 20 lakh small and marginal farmers across the country by making 20 thousand rural youth agri-entrepreneurs. This multi-partner initiative is considered a major step towards inclusive, sustainable and climate-sensitive agricultural transformation in India.

In his address, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that the dream of developed India is not possible without developed agriculture and prosperous villages. The government’s focus is not limited to just increasing production, but also to increase farmers’ income by reducing costs, promote crop diversification and make agriculture profitable.

He stressed that traditional farming is not enough for small landholding farmers, hence it is necessary to promote value addition, processing and agro-based entrepreneurship. He said that ‘Pragati’ is an extension of this thinking which will pave the way for increasing the real income of farmers by connecting them with technology, mechanization, soil health management and markets.

This initiative will be implemented in the major agricultural states of the country – Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. The agri-entrepreneurs to be created under the program will provide advice, soil testing, machine services, financial links, market connects and alternative income opportunities at the village level.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that just doing farming will not suffice, we have to move towards value addition and diversification – qualitative increase in the income of farmers is possible from sectors like horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and beekeeping. He described the use of technology, drones, digital advice and scientific farming as the basis of the future.

Giving special importance to women’s participation in the program, Union Minister Shivraj Singh said that a large number of ‘Krishi Sakhi’ and women entrepreneurs will become the pivot of this change and each entrepreneur can change the picture of the entire village.

‘Progress’ is not just a plan, but a resolution for change. This will become a medium to make villages self-reliant, employable and empowered. He said that the government is working towards comprehensive changes in the agriculture sector through state-wise agricultural roadmap and scientifically based crop planning.