Overview On November 7, 2025 , Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan , addressed a large gathering of 20,000 farmers at the Global Vikas Trust (GVT) Krishikul, Sirsala in Beed district, Maharashtra . The event highlighted the government's commitment to supporting farmers through various initiatives and policies. Key Developments Interaction with Farmers Before the main conference, Shri Chouhan interacted directly with farmers, who shared their experiences and discussed the positive impacts of new agricultural innovations. Farmers highlighted their progress in silk farming, natural farming practices, and water conservation initiatives. GVT's Contribution Shri Chouhan lauded the work of the GVT team for their contribution to the prosperity of farmers, congratulating them for pioneering new models that have enhanced farmers’ income and living standards. He emphasized the importance of sharing such success stories to inspire similar efforts in other villages. Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan Shri Chouhan informed that, for the first time in the country, under the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ , scientists from across India are interacting directly with farmers in their fields to ensure that the benefits of agricultural research and innovation reach the grassroots level. Commitment to Farmers The Union Minister emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi , the Central government is committed to ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds for all farmers. He acknowledged the impact of recent erratic weather conditions on crops and assured timely assistance to affected farmers. Financial Assistance and Crop Insurance Shri Chouhan announced that the State Government would provide immediate compensation to farmers for crop losses, with additional financial aid extended through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) . He also asserted that every rupee of compensation owed to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana would be delivered. Climate-Resilient Agriculture Addressing the challenges of climate change, Shri Chouhan stressed the need to develop new seed varieties resilient to both excessive water and drought conditions. He advocated for the development of climate-resilient seeds to safeguard farmers from unpredictable weather. Fertilizer Subsidy Reforms The Minister mentioned that the government is actively considering direct transfer of fertilizer subsidies to farmers’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and prevent leakages. Promotion of Natural Farming Highlighting the importance of cow-based and natural farming, Shri Chouhan cautioned against excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He urged farmers to move towards organic and sustainable farming to secure the future needs of coming generations. Diversification and Market Linkages The Union Minister urged farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops and adopt integrated approaches, including cultivating fruits, flowers, vegetables, and adopting agroforestry practices. He also emphasized the government's effort to ensure fair prices for farmers through cluster-based farming and village-level processing units. UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to the UPSC syllabus, particularly GS Paper 3 (Agriculture) and GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and Interventions) . It highlights various government initiatives aimed at improving the agricultural sector and the welfare of farmers. The focus on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable farming practices is also relevant to GS Paper 3 (Environment) . Key Areas for UPSC Preparation Government Schemes: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan Agricultural Practices: Natural farming, agroforestry, climate-resilient seeds Economic Aspects: Fertilizer subsidies, market linkages, value addition Environmental Concerns: Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, soil degradation Important Facts 20,000 farmers attended the conference in Maharashtra. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development. The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ involves scientists interacting directly with farmers. The government is considering direct transfer of fertilizer subsidies to farmers’ bank accounts. The focus is on developing climate-resilient seeds to combat erratic weather conditions. Maharashtra has received 30 lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana .