As the world continues to grapple with weaponisation of trade and tariffs, India will not succumb to such pressures and will chart its own path of self-reliance, Union minister for agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on October 9.
Speaking at the 120th Annual General Meeting of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chouhan said while India values its role as a "global friend", the country's interests shall remain its top priority.
"Amid volatile geopolitical situation where nations are fighting with each other, where trade and tariffs are treated as weapons, where nations are ruling the world at their whims - India has to choose its own path. We will not come under anybody's pressure. Protecting national interest is our duty and it is also necessary for global peace. A responsible country like India should rise," Chouhan said.
Highlighting that nearly 46 percent of India’s population is engaged in agriculture, the Union minister underlined the government’s focus on self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in food production and farmer welfare.
“Food security must go hand in hand with farmer prosperity. We must ensure that our farmers not only feed the nation but also earn with dignity and stability," he said.
To achieve this, he emphasized the need to enhance per-hectare productivity, strengthen seed quality through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and accelerate mechanisation to empower small and marginal farmers.
While India has achieved surplus production in rice and wheat, he said, the next frontier is achieving self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds. "PM Modi will be launching India's Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission (Chana–Masoor) day after tomorrow to strengthen pulse production," he said, while assuring that Indian farmers will be protected from unfair external pressures.
Chouhan stated that the ICAR and Indian scientists are working on advanced research in genome editing, hybrid seeds, and high-yield varieties to enhance productivity and reduce costs. He also identified food processing and value addition as national priorities.
"Our basmati rice is being consumed by the entire world - US, Canada etc. Last year we exported worth Rs 50,000 crore. This time we don’t want to be dependent on one country. We are looking for new markets for our basmati rice. One country of the world cannot demoralise us by doing 'dadagiri'. If we fill our markets with their cheap produce then what will happen to the produce of our farmers," Chouhan said in a veiled attack on US which has been pushing India to open its market to genetically modified (GM) foods and animal feed imports.
The minister also urged industry support for the government’s proposal on ‘One Nation, One Election’, noting that synchronized elections will enhance administrative efficiency and policy continuity.
He concluded with a call to embrace ‘Swadeshi’ with quality, blending indigenous strength with global competitiveness. “Let us adopt Swadeshi, but with the highest standards of quality. Together, we can make India the food basket of the world,” Chouhan said.
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