The programme is designed to promote inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural development while strengthening rural economies through entrepreneurship, technology adoption and market linkages. Officials described the initiative as a significant step towards transforming agriculture at the grassroots level and creating new opportunities for rural youth.

Launching the programme, Chouhan said the vision of a developed India cannot be achieved without a strong agricultural sector and prosperous villages. He stressed that the government’s objective extends beyond increasing crop production and includes reducing cultivation costs, improving farm incomes and encouraging crop diversification.

According to the minister, small and marginal farmers face growing challenges in relying solely on traditional farming practices. He said greater emphasis is needed on value addition, food processing and agriculture-based enterprises to make farming more profitable and sustainable.

“Pragati” seeks to address these concerns by building a network of trained agri-entrepreneurs who will provide support services at the village level. These entrepreneurs are expected to assist farmers with soil testing, farm mechanisation, financial access, market connectivity and adoption of modern agricultural practices.

The initiative will initially be implemented across key agricultural states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. These states account for a significant share of India’s farming population and include a large number of small landholding farmers.

Officials said the programme will focus on enhancing productivity while helping farmers diversify their income sources. Alongside crop cultivation, emphasis will be placed on horticulture, livestock farming, fisheries and beekeeping. The government believes such diversification can provide additional revenue streams and reduce dependence on a single source of farm income.

Chouhan highlighted the growing role of technology in agriculture and said future growth would depend on scientific farming methods and digital solutions. He pointed to the increasing use of drones, precision agriculture tools and digital advisory platforms as important drivers of efficiency and productivity in the sector.

The initiative also places strong emphasis on climate-sensitive farming practices. As weather-related uncertainties continue to affect agricultural output in several regions, policymakers are looking at ways to build resilience through better planning, improved resource management and technology-driven interventions.

Women’s participation has been identified as a key component of the programme. Chouhan said a large number of women agri-entrepreneurs and “Krishi Sakhis” would be integrated into the initiative to strengthen community-level outreach and support farmers more effectively.

He noted that empowering rural women through agricultural entrepreneurship could have a multiplier effect on village economies and social development. According to programme planners, locally trained entrepreneurs can serve as a bridge between government schemes, scientific institutions and farming communities.

The minister described the initiative as more than a government scheme, calling it a mission to create self-reliant and economically vibrant villages. He said efforts are also underway to develop state-specific agricultural roadmaps and promote scientific crop planning to improve long-term sustainability and profitability in the sector.

With agriculture continuing to support a large share of India’s population, policymakers view initiatives such as “Pragati” as crucial to increasing rural incomes, generating employment and accelerating the broader goal of inclusive economic growth.

According to the government, the vessels are transporting fertilisers and critical raw materials under scheduled delivery plans, ensuring uninterrupted supplies to India. Officials said the arrival of these shipments at Indian ports will substantially improve domestic stock levels and support the country’s agricultural requirements.

The government highlighted that despite challenges to maritime traffic in the Hormuz Strait during the recent regional conflict, coordinated planning, continuous monitoring and timely interventions helped maintain the flow of essential fertiliser imports. Authorities also expanded procurement efforts by securing supplies from multiple countries, further reinforcing India’s fertiliser supply network.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers J.P. Nadda said global supply chains faced severe disruptions due to the conflict in West Asia, leading to rising fertiliser prices and longer delivery timelines worldwide. He noted that India was not immune to these challenges but managed to address potential shortages through proactive measures and strategic planning under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government also credited India’s diplomatic network for supporting supply diversification efforts. As many as 28 Indian missions abroad, including embassies and high commissions, worked closely with potential producers and suppliers to facilitate timely fertiliser availability.

For urea imports, India secured arrangements with countries including Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Egypt, Algeria, Türkiye and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, supplies of DAP and NPK fertilisers were coordinated through the Red Sea route from Russia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Officials said the 15 ships currently en route or arriving in India include eight vessels carrying 3.32 lakh metric tonnes of urea, four ships transporting 2.57 lakh metric tonnes of DAP and three vessels carrying 1.11 lakh metric tonnes of sulphur. In addition, five more ships have been scheduled for India. These include consignments of ammonia, urea and sulphur that are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Alongside imports, domestic fertiliser production has also recorded strong growth. The availability of natural gas for fertiliser plants, which had temporarily declined to around 65 per cent, has now returned to full capacity. As a result, all urea manufacturing units across the country are operating at maximum production levels.

Government data showed that urea production exceeded targets in each of the first three months of the 2026-27 financial year. During the April-June quarter, total urea production reached 71.55 lakh metric tonnes against a target of 67.86 lakh metric tonnes, surpassing the goal by 3.69 lakh metric tonnes.

DAP production also outperformed expectations during the quarter. Total output stood at 9.84 lakh metric tonnes compared to the target of 8.61 lakh metric tonnes, registering an excess production of 1.23 lakh metric tonnes. Domestic production of NPK fertilisers reached 20.77 lakh metric tonnes, while SSP output stood at 13.50 lakh metric tonnes during the same period.

The combined impact of increased imports and higher domestic production has helped maintain adequate fertiliser availability across the country. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India has already secured 197.56 lakh metric tonnes of fertiliser stocks against an estimated annual requirement of 383.9 lakh metric tonnes, representing more than 51 per cent of projected demand.

Officials said the current inventory position is expected to ensure smooth fertiliser availability for farmers and support agricultural activities throughout the upcoming crop seasons.