Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, emphasized the indispensable role of agriculture in a tech-driven world during the Regional Agriculture Conference for the Southern States. He highlighted the need for region-specific planning, best practices sharing, and agricultural policy focus on food security, farmers' livelihoods, and nutritional security.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the Regional Agriculture Conference for the Southern States in Hyderabad on September 18, 2026. The discussions focused on key challenges and opportunities facing agriculture in the region, including the impact of El Niño, crop diversification, and measures required for the upcoming Rabi season.
The minister underscored that technological progress, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, would continue to transform the world, but agriculture would remain indispensable. He emphasized that while machines can make bread, they cannot produce grain.
'Nation First' is the guiding principle of the government, according to Shri Chouhan, with the Centre not approaching agricultural issues based on political affiliations in states. The focus is instead on finding solutions that improve farmers' lives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Regional conferences are considered essential for region-specific planning due to India’s diverse agricultural landscape. Shri Chouhan said India used to hold a single Rabi conference, but states have different agro-climatic zones, resources, water availability, and soil conditions, making it impossible to prepare a common plan for the entire country.
The minister also called for rules to serve people rather than becoming burdens on them. He urged state governments to review outdated Acts and procedures and make changes wherever necessary. Shri Chouhan emphasized that cooperation between Centre and states is essential for taking agriculture forward, with best practices from different states being shared to improve agricultural practices across regions.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
