Sehore, February 7: A new chapter in India’s Pulses policy and farmer-centric agricultural discourse was inaugurated today at the Food Legume Research Center (FLRP) in Amala, Sehore district. Under the leadership of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the nationwide Pulses Revolution was officially launched. The national consultation and strategy meeting gathered key figures, including Union Minister Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, various state agriculture ministers, leading scientists, representatives from ICAR-ICARDA, progressive farmers, FPOs, and seed and pulse mill representatives. The clear message was that the roadmap for self-reliant India in pulses will be shaped in the fields, not in the offices of Delhi.
While the roadmap for the ‘Pulses Self-Reliance Mission’ was established in Amala, Minister Chouhan dismissed opposition concerns, asserting that importing pulses is a matter of shame for India. He emphasized that India will become an exporter of pulses, ensuring that the interests of Indian farmers remain protected despite recent international agreements.
Chouhan stated that the opposition’s narrative of “selling the country and ruining farmers” is no longer tenable in light of current facts. He described the agreement as historic, opening new doors for India’s progress and development, increasing exports, creating job opportunities, and boosting farmers’ incomes through the export of spices and rice. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of Indian farmers for this significant agreement.
During the national meeting of the ‘Pulses Self-Reliance Mission’, Chouhan highlighted the gathering of representatives from across India in Amala. He reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to making India self-reliant for a developed nation and emphasized that self-reliance in pulses is a major goal. The mission aims to ensure that India does not rely on imports but instead reaches a point where it can export pulses.
Chouhan congratulated the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for declaring this year as the “Farmer Welfare Year,” assuring that the central government will fully support this initiative to enhance farmers’ incomes, increase crop production, and create new value addition opportunities. He also encouraged agriculture ministers from all states to collaborate on tailored roadmaps to advance the pulses mission according to each state’s needs.
Addressing the ongoing political debate regarding the India-U.S. agreement, Minister Chouhan firmly countered the opposition’s fears. He recalled Prime Minister Modi’s promise to protect farmers’ interests, stating, “I will not let the country bow down,” and reaffirmed that the recent agreements with the U.S. and previous FTAs with 27 countries have safeguarded the interests of the nation and its farmers.
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