Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; File |Photograph Credit score: PTI
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday (February 8, 2026) mentioned India goals to turn out to be self-reliant within the manufacturing of fruits, greens and flowers, asserting that there is no such thing as a longer a necessity for imports in these sectors.
Addressing a evaluate assembly with officers from the Indian Council of Agricultural Analysis (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Horticultural Analysis (IIHR) right here, Chauhan mentioned the main focus was on figuring out high-demand crops and guaranteeing that their home manufacturing is helpful to farmers.
Outlining the federal government’s efforts, he mentioned: “Now we have a few objectives. We do not import fruit, flowers and greens. Now we have to turn out to be self-reliant on this sector.”
The Minister of Rural Improvement, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare identified that India has already made nice progress and termed the present manufacturing ranges as “historic”. Relating to crops that had been beforehand depending on imports, Chauhan mentioned, “We used to import avocados, however now now we have began producing them.”
He emphasised the necessity to lengthen this strategy to different rising crops, including: “Now we have to be self-reliant in relation to dragon fruit.” He mentioned authorities have been directed to determine fruits that have to be produced domestically and promote their cultivation amongst farmers.
“I’ve instructed the authorities to determine the fruits that have to be produced in India. We’ll encourage farmers to develop them,” he mentioned, stressing that profitability might be a key driver.
“We’ll solely begin manufacturing whether it is worthwhile,” he added. Relating to greens, Chouhan mentioned India will not be going through any import compulsion. “There is no such thing as a have to import greens,” he mentioned.
The minister highlighted post-harvest challenges and mentioned shelf life stays a serious concern for farmers.
“One other problem going through our farmers is shelf life. They wish to lengthen the shelf lifetime of tomatoes,” he mentioned, including that related calls for are rising for different crops. “Now they’re demanding an extension of the expiration date for custard apples,” he says.
Reiterating his broader imaginative and prescient, Chouhan mentioned agricultural self-reliance is crucial for a self-reliant India.
“For India to turn out to be self-reliant, greens and flowers should turn out to be self-reliant as nicely. We is not going to import them,” he mentioned, including that the analysis would deal with farmer-friendly varieties that will convey revenue.
