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Tag: #ShivrajSinghChouhan

  • Chouhan urges industry to boost CSR in agriculture

    Chouhan urges industry to boost CSR in agriculture

    Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday urged Indian corporations to expand CSR in agriculture, calling on industry leaders to channel a share of their profits into farmer welfare, rural development and agricultural research.

    Speaking at the CSR Conclave 2026, organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, Chouhan said companies have a duty to act as “trustees” of national wealth rather than mere profit-makers, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of trusteeship.

    “While the nation provides opportunities for growth, it is the responsibility of industry to become an active partner in nation-building,” Chouhan said, adding that research must move beyond laboratories to directly benefit farmers.

    The minister strongly urged companies to prioritise climate-resilient farming, soil health, nutrition-secure food systems, and skill development for rural youth and women. He cited jute-processing technology as an example of innovation that needs faster commercialisation with private-sector backing.

    Chouhan also urged support for agri-tech startups, drone-pilot training, and women-led initiatives such as “Drone Didi,” describing rural women’s self-help groups as central to the next wave of agricultural entrepreneurship.

    While Indian law mandates that companies spend 2% of profits on CSR, Chouhan said the obligation should be viewed as a moral commitment rather than a legal formality. “True life belongs to the one who gives life to others,” he said.

    The event at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium was also attended by Ministers of State Ramnath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, alongside senior ICAR officials and corporate representatives.

  • Syngenta India sponsors 650 motorised tricycles to empower specially abled citizens in Madhya Pradesh

    Syngenta India sponsors 650 motorised tricycles to empower specially abled citizens in Madhya Pradesh

    Agro-innovation company Syngenta India has launched what it called a first-of-its-kind corporate social responsibility initiative, committing to sponsor 650 motorised tricycles for specially abled individuals in Madhya Pradesh, in a move that links agricultural enterprise with disability inclusion.

    The first batch of vehicles was handed over on Sunday by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Unnat Krishi Mahotsav 2026, an agriculture exhibition and conference held in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, on April 12.

    “Empowering them with mobility is a critical step towards ensuring dignity, inclusion, and self-reliance,” Chouhan said, adding that the government remained committed to addressing the needs of marginalised communities, including the Divyangjan — a Hindi term for persons with disabilities. He singled out the Vidisha region, his parliamentary constituency, as a focus area for broader mobility initiatives.

    Chouhan framed the distribution of motorised tricycles not merely as a mobility intervention but as a pathway to economic participation, saying recipients could use the vehicles as livelihood tools and engage in local rural economies.

    Vivek Sharma, officiating Managing Director and Head of Marketing at Syngenta India, said the initiative was anchored in the company’s sustainability priorities, integrating social inclusion with agricultural advancement. He said the programme aimed to support last-mile connectivity, on-farm engagement and participation in rural enterprises across the agricultural value chain.

    Sharma said Syngenta planned to complement the mobility support with skill development and improved market access, with the stated aim of enabling “long-term transformation at the grassroots.”

    Syngenta India has operated in Madhya Pradesh through several community development programmes, including I RISE, a rural skilling initiative; I CLEAN, a market-access and hygiene awareness programme; and I SAFE, which promotes responsible use of agricultural inputs. At the Raisen exhibition, the company showcased new products and technologies for farmers.