In a recent meeting at the National Soybean Research Institute in Indore, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed the importance of conducting agricultural research in farmers’ fields rather than in distant offices. He believes that farmers are the key to understanding the challenges they face and that research should be tailored to their needs.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant progress in agriculture. Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that food grain production has increased by 44% in the past 11 years. However, he noted that despite having over 16,000 agricultural scientists, there is a gap between lab research and practical farming solutions. To bridge this gap, the government has introduced the ‘Lab-to-Land’ initiative.
This initiative aims to align research with real-world farming practices by engaging with farmers directly. During the campaign, 2,170 teams reached out to over 13.5 million farmers to gather their insights and experiences. Chouhan mentioned that many farmers have already adopted innovative practices that can be scaled up.
One of the main focuses of the new strategy is soybean productivity. Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced plans to use genome editing technology to develop high-yielding soybean varieties. He acknowledged that soybean production in India has stagnated while other countries have higher yields.
The government aims to enhance the productivity of soybean crops and reduce cultivation costs. Chouhan emphasized the need for new technologies to prevent diseases like root rot in soybean. He also mentioned that research will focus on developing disease-resistant crop varieties and improving seed treatments.
Soybean is a vital source of protein, and Chouhan highlighted the importance of promoting value-added products like tofu and soy milk. He called for increased exports of soymeal and urged farmers to learn from successful peers who have achieved yields of 20 quintals per acre.
Looking ahead, Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced upcoming consultations in Coimbatore for cotton, Meerut for sugarcane, and Kanpur for pulses. The goal is to improve the productivity of all major crops across India.
To ensure fair prices for farmers, the government has set the minimum support price (MSP) for soybean at ₹5,328 per quintal for the 2025-26 season, an increase from the previous year. This move aims to protect farmers’ interests amidst rising imports of edible oils.
Chouhan concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to agricultural development. He stated, ‘Our mantra is: One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team.’ He believes that collaboration among all stakeholders is essential for sustainable agricultural growth in India.