NEW DELHI – Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a virtual review meeting on Wednesday with state agriculture ministers to streamline digital integration and resource availability for the 2026-27 crop season.
The Minister emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy toward the hoarding of fertilisers and set a rigorous six-month deadline to achieve 100% Farmer ID registration across the country.
1. Digital Empowerment: The Farmer ID Initiative
Shri Chouhan revealed that 9.25 crore Farmer IDs have already been generated across 19 states.
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Target: 100% coverage within the next six months.
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Scope: Registration is being expanded beyond PM-Kisan beneficiaries to include all eligible farmers, linking them directly to land, livestock, and fisheries data.
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Execution: State revenue and agriculture departments have been directed to launch joint awareness campaigns to ensure no farmer is left behind.
2. Fertiliser Management and Anti-Hoarding
Addressing the supply chain, the Union Minister issued a stern warning against illegal practices:
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Strict Enforcement: States must act decisively against hoarding and black-marketing.
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Border Vigilance: Special monitoring is mandated in border areas to prevent the illegal movement of fertilisers.
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Equitable Distribution: Deployment of technology-based systems to ensure farmers receive fertilisers based on actual requirements, alongside a push for organic and natural farming to reduce chemical dependency.
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Model Initiative: Haryana’s ‘Meri Fasal, Mera Byora’ was lauded as a model for other states to emulate.
3. Strengthening PM-AASHA & Procurement
The meeting reviewed the procurement of pulses and oilseeds at Minimum Support Price (MSP):
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Direct Benefits: Payments will be made exclusively via Aadhaar-enabled DBT directly into farmers’ bank accounts.
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Authentication: Mandatory biometric or face authentication at procurement centers to ensure transparency.
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State Approvals: Procurement has been greenlit for multiple crops (Chana, Masur, Mustard, etc.) across states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
4. Regional Agriculture Conferences & VKSA
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Jaipur Conference: The first of five Regional Agriculture Conferences (divided by agro-climatic zones) will commence in Jaipur on April 7.
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Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA): A 15–20 day campaign will be relaunched in May 2026. This “lab-to-land” initiative will see scientists visiting over 60,000 villages to provide modern farming solutions and address local soil health issues.
The Minister concluded by reiterating that the primary responsibility of states is to ensure transparent procurement and fair prices, which serve as the backbone of a strengthened agricultural sector.
