India, Dec 10 : Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday highlighted India’s ongoing agricultural transformation, emphasizing the role of technology, innovation, and robust support systems in driving farm sector growth. Speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘Tripling Agricultural GDP Using New Technology and Quality Agri Inputs’ event, Chouhan noted a 44% increase in sugarcane production since 2014, attributing the gains to scientific interventions and policy reforms.
The Minister underscored the development of 3,300 climate-resilient seed varieties and a 36% rise in overall agricultural output, fueled by quality seeds, mechanization, and enhanced Minimum Support Price (MSP) schemes. Chouhan emphasized integrated farming systems combining crops, livestock, fisheries, and allied activities as key to diversifying income and ensuring stability for small and marginal farmers.
Highlighting the importance of value addition, he urged farmers to move beyond raw produce to processing, packaging, and branding, which can help capture higher value in domestic and international markets. The government’s crackdown on low-quality bio-inputs, reducing producers from 30,000 to 8,000, and efforts to promote balanced fertilization were also noted as steps to safeguard soil health and long-term productivity.
Adding a global perspective, NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand encouraged precision-driven farming, citing China’s intensive, highly skilled land management as a benchmark for maximizing per-acre yields.
Industry leaders, including Dr RG Agarwal of PHDCCI, stressed the need for modern technologies, knowledge dissemination, and institutional support to empower farmers and strengthen India’s agricultural future.
The summit highlighted key pillars for tripling India’s agricultural GDP: climate-resilient seeds, mechanization, digital agriculture, integrated farming models, balanced fertilizer usage, and value-added production. As India faces climate challenges, rising global competition, and a push for self-reliance, the focus remains on transitioning the farm sector to a modern, technology-led, and globally competitive ecosystem.