The Aryavarth Express New Delhi: Shivraj Singh Chouhanon Wednesday inaugurated the three-day Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute campus in the national capital, outlining a comprehensive reform agenda to advance what he described as “Developed Agriculture–Self-Reliant India.”
According to an official release, the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development made it clear that delays in farmers’ payments, administrative bottlenecks, and weak monitoring mechanisms would not be tolerated.
The annual fair, hosted by IARI under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, began with a ceremonial plantation drive. The event was attended by Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR Director General M.L. Jat, IARI Director C.H. Srinivasa Rao, scientists, progressive farmers, and institutional representatives.
Reinforcing a “Farmer First” approach,Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared the मंच with cultivators and personally assisted a differently-abled farmer. Seven farmers were honoured with the IARI Krishi Adhyeta Award during the programme.
Addressing the issue of pending dues, the minister warned that any agency or state government delaying payments to farmers would be liable to pay 12 per cent interest on the outstanding amount. He added that the Centre would explore options to directly transfer its share into farmers’ bank accounts in cases of state-level delays. “Parking farmers’ funds and profiting from delays will not be allowed,” he asserted.
On agricultural mechanisation and subsidy-linked schemes, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said more than 18 central schemes are being implemented through states, but stressed the need for stricter oversight to ensure benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. He cited instances where equipment allocations were made on paper but not delivered to farmers.
The minister proposed strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) as district-level agricultural reform hubs to better connect research with field-level implementation. Referring to the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, he reiterated that loans are available at an effective interest rate of 4 per cent and emphasised zero tolerance for delays, holding banks accountable for timely disbursal.
Calling for reforms in pesticide licensing, Chouhan advocated a transparent and time-bound approval process to eliminate substandard products and improve farmers’ access to quality inputs. On Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement, he suggested reducing the existing three-month payment window to one month to ensure quicker compensation to farmers.
Highlighting that the Centre provides over ₹2 lakh crore annually as fertiliser subsidy, he said the government would consider direct benefit transfer of the subsidy into farmers’ accounts, allowing them to make independent input purchase decisions.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced that the “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” will resume in April ahead of the Kharif season, with scientists reaching villages to transfer lab innovations directly to the fields. Describing the Pusa Mela as a national congregation of farmers and innovators, he directed IARI to further expand the scale of the event next year, the release added.
