India will not bow to international pressure regarding trade tariffs, especially in the current global climate where trade is being used as a weapon. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made this clear during the 120th Annual General Meeting of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He stated that while India aims to be a “global brother” and cares about the world, the country’s own interests will always come first.
Chouhan highlighted that the world is facing significant geopolitical challenges, with nations acting on their own agendas. In such times, India must forge its own path and protect its national interests. He believes this is not only necessary for India but also contributes to global peace. A strong and responsible India, he asserted, must stand tall.
The minister stressed the critical importance of strengthening India’s agricultural sector. He pointed out that nearly half of India’s population depends directly on farming for their livelihoods. This dependency makes food security a top priority. Chouhan emphasised that in the current uncertain global environment, relying on international markets for food is not a reliable strategy. Therefore, India must become self-sufficient.
He reminded the audience of past challenges, recalling a time when India relied on food aid from America. Now, he proudly stated, India has made significant progress. “There were times when a prime minister in the past had to tell people to keep fast once a week,” he said. “But now, 80 crore people are given free ration.” He added that the country’s granaries are currently full of rice and wheat.
However, Chouhan stressed that the work is not finished. Strengthening agriculture is vital not just for food security but also for ensuring that farmers earn a good income. The government is focusing on six key areas to boost the sector, with a particular emphasis on increasing productivity.
While India is performing well in rice and wheat production, the minister noted that the country lags behind in pulses and oilseeds. He called for India to achieve self-reliance in these areas. To achieve this, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is working on developing higher-quality seeds. Since genetically modified (GM) crops are not permitted in India, efforts are focused on using genome editing techniques to develop advanced hybrid seeds, which have shown “encouraging success.”
Furthermore, Chouhan highlighted the need to improve mechanisation and food processing capabilities. He stressed that these advancements should be made with small farmers in mind. He concluded by saying that everyone has a role to play in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, a developed India.