Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasized the importance of integrated farming during his address at the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela held at the Pusa Campus in Delhi on Saturday. He explained how farmers could increase their income by engaging in multiple farming activities on the same piece of land. By adopting integrated farming, farmers can diversify their crops and farming methods, ultimately leading to higher profitability.
The event was part of a larger initiative by the Indian government to promote agricultural development and innovation. Chouhan highlighted the government’s commitment to achieving a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), stressing that agricultural development is essential to the country’s growth. He noted that various steps were being taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support this vision, with the Kisan Mela being one of the key initiatives.
At the mela, Chouhan spoke about the role of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in preparing high-quality seeds for various crops such as wheat, gram, and lentils. He emphasized the importance of using improved seeds and demonstrated how the results of crops could significantly improve when advanced varieties were used. A live demonstration was provided to show the impact of these seeds on crop growth and yield.
The Union Minister further discussed the concept of integrated agriculture, explaining how farmers could utilize their land more efficiently by growing multiple crops and engaging in various farming activities. “Farmers can earn more profit by doing many types of activities from one acre of farm,” he stated. He also noted that farmers from across the country could participate in such events to learn about new agricultural techniques and innovations.
The event also showcased numerous start-ups and research experiments aimed at improving farming practices. Chouhan outlined how scientists’ research is directly reaching farmers, with the government’s initiative “Adhunik Krishi Chaupal” helping to transfer knowledge from laboratories to the fields. This program ensures that the latest research reaches farmers regularly, improving their techniques and yield.
Chouhan also discussed the government’s commitment to the Makhana industry. In the 2025-26 Budget, the government announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar, a leading producer of this nutrient-rich crop. The board will focus on improving production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana, further boosting the agricultural sector. The National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM) in Darbhanga is already making significant strides in this direction, developing high-yield varieties and innovative farming techniques.
Chouhan will visit Darbhanga soon to meet with stakeholders to further discuss the work that will be carried out by the newly formed Makhana Board. The government’s efforts aim to expand Makhana cultivation and improve its processing capabilities, benefiting farmers and regional industries alike.
