Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will administer the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ pledge to officials of the Agriculture and Rural Development ministries at the Pusa campus in New Delhi on August 18.
The programme will focus on translating priorities outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address into an action-oriented roadmap for agriculture and rural development as India works towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Progressive farmers, Lakhpati Didis, agricultural exporters and food processors will also participate.
Chouhan said the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ provides an important direction for agriculture and rural India. The government plans to turn the vision into action through people-centric programmes, transparent monitoring and stronger implementation.
The August 18 meeting will review departmental roadmaps and seek to accelerate their implementation, with a focus on ensuring that farmers and rural women directly benefit from government programmes.
Agriculture and food production, food processing and access to international markets are among the priorities highlighted under the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’.
The government is also focusing on ensuring the availability of fertilisers at subsidised prices amid global uncertainty.
The agenda includes creating new opportunities for Indian farmers in international markets, particularly for agricultural and marine products, including seafood.
Self-reliance in critical requirements such as fertilisers and fuel is another part of the broader strategy.
A major focus of the programme will be the expansion of the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which seeks to improve the incomes and economic independence of rural women associated with Self-Help Groups.
According to the government, three crore rural women have already become Lakhpati Didis. The new target is to increase this number to six crore.
The August 18 meeting will discuss the roadmap for achieving the expanded target through skill development, financial assistance and livelihood support.
Women associated with Self-Help Groups are being encouraged to strengthen existing livelihoods and develop new income-generating opportunities.
The government is also looking to improve market access for products made by rural women.
She-Marts, included in the Union Budget, are intended to help women entrepreneurs find better markets and develop stronger rural businesses.
Products linked to yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts and other rural enterprises are expected to be promoted through branding and market-access initiatives for both domestic and international consumers.
The August 18 programme is expected to bring together government officials and stakeholders from agriculture and rural development to convert broad national priorities into specific departmental action plans.
The emphasis on farmers, food processing, exports, rural women and market access reflects the government’s broader approach of combining agricultural growth with rural economic empowerment as part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
