Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal

Bhopal, Dec 13: Union agriculture minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday emphasised that farming households need to look beyond traditional agriculture to sustainably increase their income, advocating the adoption of allied activities such as dairy farming and animal husbandry.

Addressing a Kisan Sangosthi organised by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Vidisha, Chouhan said that reliance on crop cultivation alone is no longer sufficient, particularly for farmers with small landholdings. The event was attended by a large number of farmers, including those from Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.

“In the present scenario, agriculture alone cannot ensure higher income for farmers. Activities like milk production and cattle rearing can play a crucial role, especially for those with limited land,” he said.

Chouhan noted that animal husbandry has already emerged as a reliable means of strengthening rural livelihoods and praised NDRI for conducting specialised training programmes to equip farmers with practical skills in the sector.

Following the programme, the Union Minister interacted with women farmers and sought their blessings. Earlier in the day, he also planted a sapling in Bhopal, continuing his long-standing practice of promoting environmental consciousness.

Chouhan, fondly known as ‘Mama’ for welfare initiatives such as the Ladli Laxmi Yojana launched in 2007 and the Ladli Behna Yojana in 2022, also drew attention due to heightened security arrangements during his visit. BJP sources clarified that the increased security cover was routine, following a periodic review by the Union Home Ministry, and was implemented through coordination with the Madhya Pradesh and Delhi governments.