Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the PRAGATI (Promoting Regenerative Agriculture Through Innovative Growth Initiatives) project, a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening India’s agricultural ecosystem by creating 20,000 agri-entrepreneurs and directly benefiting 20 lakh small and marginal farmers.
The initiative focuses on improving farm productivity, increasing farmers’ income, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across rural India. The project is being seen as one of the country’s largest private sector-supported agricultural entrepreneurship programs.
- Developed India Needs Developed Agriculture
- PRAGATI Project to Cover Major Agricultural States
- Focus on Value Addition and Diversification
- Women and Rural Youth to Lead the Change
- Strong Multi-Partner Collaboration
- Income Growth and Regenerative Agriculture Targets
- A Major Step Towards Sustainable Farming
Developed India Needs Developed Agriculture
While launching the initiative, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved without a strong agricultural sector and prosperous villages. He emphasized that increasing crop production alone is not enough. Farmers’ income can grow only through value addition, crop diversification, modern technology, and market connectivity.
He also stressed that reducing cultivation costs through improved soil health, farm mechanization, digital agriculture, and scientific farming practices is equally important for long-term agricultural growth.
PRAGATI Project to Cover Major Agricultural States
The PRAGATI initiative will initially be implemented across several key agricultural states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, and Jharkhand.
Under the program, trained agri-entrepreneurs will provide farmers with services such as soil testing, access to farm machinery, technical guidance, financial inclusion, market linkages, and support for alternative income sources.
The government believes that strengthening rural entrepreneurship will help bridge the gap between farmers and modern agricultural technologies.
Focus on Value Addition and Diversification
Speaking about the future of Indian agriculture, the Agriculture Minister said that traditional farming alone cannot ensure higher incomes for small landholders. He encouraged farmers to adopt horticulture, dairy farming, fisheries, beekeeping, food processing, and value-added agricultural businesses.
According to him, integrating technology such as drones, digital advisory platforms, and precision farming will play a significant role in making Indian agriculture more profitable and sustainable.
Women and Rural Youth to Lead the Change
The PRAGATI project places special emphasis on empowering women and rural youth. Thousands of Krishi Sakhis and women entrepreneurs are expected to become key drivers of agricultural transformation at the village level.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan described PRAGATI as more than just a government initiative, calling it a movement for rural transformation that aims to create self-reliant villages, generate employment, and strengthen the rural economy.
Strong Multi-Partner Collaboration
The project brings together several national and international organizations to provide training, financial support, digital inclusion, market access, and technical expertise.
Key partners include the PepsiCo Foundation, SBI Foundation, Gates Foundation, IDH, Heifer International, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy, SAFIA, Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF), and Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF).
Together, these organizations will support farmers through regenerative agriculture practices and climate-smart farming solutions.
Income Growth and Regenerative Agriculture Targets
The PRAGATI project has set ambitious goals for the coming years. It aims to encourage at least 20% of participating farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural practices while targeting a minimum 30% increase in farmers’ income.
The initiative also seeks to improve yields of major crops such as paddy, maize, and potato by 15–20% through better farming techniques and scientific management.
Additionally, financial literacy and improved access to formal banking services will help farmers make informed investment decisions and build long-term financial security.
A Major Step Towards Sustainable Farming
The PRAGATI initiative has been developed based on the experience of previous agricultural entrepreneurship programs implemented by the Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF) across 14 Indian states.
With an existing network of over 26,000 agri-entrepreneurs, the new initiative plans to expand this ecosystem by adding another 20,000 trained entrepreneurs, creating one of India’s largest agricultural support networks.
The government expects the project to accelerate sustainable farming, improve rural livelihoods, enhance climate resilience, and make Indian agriculture more competitive in the coming years.