"Scientists, farmers should interact to tackle climate change": Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 4 (ANI): Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that instructions have been given to the agricultural scientists to engage directly with farmers in their fields to understand their challenges better.
Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Chouhan said, "Scientists and farmers should interact to tackle climate change. Scientists are now coming out amongst the farmers in the fields. By interacting with the farmers, we understand the innovations they are making and the needs they mentioned today."
Union Minister praised innovative farming practices in Maharashtra and urged the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties.
Chouhan appreciated the efforts made by local farmers in areas like cold storage-based grape exports, capsicum cultivation, organic groundnut farming, mango production, and floriculture. He also stated that farmers were leading new experiments in agriculture, and their efforts must be supported through scientific research. Chouhan stressed the urgency of developing new crop varieties that could withstand climate change.
Chouhan highlighted concerns over the excessive use of chemical fertilisers, which led to reduced profits and poor crop quality.
"We keep adding so much chemical fertiliser, which increases expenses, and profits decrease...Because of using more chemical fertilisers, the quality also deteriorates," he said.
He emphasised the Modi government's commitment to reducing production costs and ensuring fair prices for farmers, even in the face of natural losses.
Earlier on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hailed Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, saying that under this campaign, demand-driven research will be conducted based on feedback from the village. (ANI)