Amid mounting resentment among farmers towards both the BJP-led Central Government and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government over critical agricultural issues — from the unresolved demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) to crackdowns on protests and input shortages, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Punjab on Thursday with a mix of outreach, encouragement, and assurances.

Addressing farmers in Rajpura’s Kheri Gandiyan village and later at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Rauni, Chouhan launched a fresh pitch for crop diversification, called for sustainable farming practices, and promised to bridge the gap between lab and land. His visit was part of the Centre’s ongoing ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, aimed at revolutionizing agricultural engagement by connecting scientists and farmers at the grassroots.

But the timing and backdrop of the visit were impossible to ignore. Farmers in Punjab remain at loggerheads with the Centre over the demand for a legal MSP guarantee, while simmering anger over the March crackdown on protesting farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri remains fresh. Moreover, the state’s farmers are grappling with an acute shortage of DAP fertilizer, alleged procurement failures, and a widening trust deficit.

Chouhan began his day interacting with farmers at a “Kisan Chaupal” in Rajpura, listening to their concerns, praising their innovations, and encouraging environmentally-conscious techniques. He later drove a tractor through the fields — a symbolic gesture of solidarity — and participated in a tree plantation drive to mark World Environment Day.

“Punjab’s farmers are the pride of the nation. The soil here is fertile, and the spirit of the farmers is indomitable,” Chouhan said, adding, “I’m not here as a guest, I’m here as a family member.”

Emphasizing the urgent need for change in crop patterns, Chouhan reiterated the government’s push for diversification. “We must grow crops that use less water and offer better returns. I’m not saying wheat and paddy will be eliminated — but why not experiment with mushrooms, fruits, vegetables?” he told farmers, pointing to promising trends already visible in parts of the state.

He especially lauded the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique being adopted by some progressive farmers. “This saves groundwater and reduces costs. The feedback from Punjab farmers has been impressive,” Chouhan said, urging broader adoption.

Despite the encouraging tone, many farmers pointed out the gaps between rhetoric and reality, particularly the lack of procurement support for alternative crops. On the sidelines of interaction, farmers pointed out that whenever they shift to alternative crops like maize or moong, they are compelled to sell their produce at prices significantly lower than MSP. For instance, in the previous season, maize was sold at rates much below the Rs 2,225 per quintal benchmark, highlighting the gap between policy and ground reality.

This year, the Centre has marginally increased maize MSP to Rs 2,400 for 2025-26, but the lingering concerns over actual procurement have cast a shadow over diversification efforts.

Chouhan, in response, assured the farmers that the issue of below-MSP procurement would be examined. “MSP is a guarantee of justice. Diversification will only succeed if farmers are supported,” he said.

Fertilizer scarcity was another flashpoint. Farmers complained of an acute shortfall in the supply of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP), which they say has disrupted sowing schedules. As per reports, the state has received 39,000 metric tonnes DAP against a demand of 90,000 MT.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who accompanied Chouhan throughout the visit, acknowledged the shortfall ssaying that he had raised the issue with the Union Minister. “He has assured that more supply will be routed soon,” Khudian said.

Several farmers flagged concerns over counterfeit agrochemicals in the market. “Fake pesticides are ruining crops and pushing farmers into debt,” a farmer told Chouhan.

The Union Minister responded with a firm promise: “We are preparing a new law that will take strict action against manufacturers and suppliers of fake pesticides. This is non-negotiable.”

Chouhan stressed the need for “policy-making from the field, not air-conditioned rooms”, drawing applause from the audience. “Lab-to-land is not just a slogan. Under this campaign, scientists are visiting villages, tailoring advice to the soil, climate, and crop needs of the region,” he added.

The Union Minister also toured Amargarh to witness an exhibition of modern agricultural machinery. The visit, part of the eighth day of the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, is expected to inform future policy decisions.

Meanwhile, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian used the occasion to raise a host of Punjab-specific concerns. He pointed out that while the Centre promised Rs 17,000 per hectare to farmers who diversify, only Rs 10,000 has reached them so far.

On stubble burning, Khudian said, “We are setting our mother earth on fire. But the fact remains — the Centre must give more support if we want to reduce farm fires further.” He claimed an 86 percent decline in stubble burning incidents in the last Kharif season as a result of state efforts.

Chouhan’s Punjab visit is not without political undertones. The BJP, long a marginal player in Punjab, is seeking to regain lost ground after being accused by farmer unions of betrayal during the three farm laws agitation. Trust is yet to be restored, despite the repeal of the controversial laws.

Security was notably tight during Chouhan’s visit, with authorities on alert to avoid any disruption from disgruntled farmer groups.

Indus Waters Treaty Suspension: India to Now Use 80% of Water, Earlier Flowing into Pak

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday justified the Centre’s move to suspend the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, asserting that the water resources rightfully belonging to Indian farmers will no longer be allowed to flow unchecked into Pakistan.

“Eighty percent of India’s water was going into Pakistan. That was never justified. That water belongs to us to our farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh,” said Chouhan during his visit to Patiala.

The Centre had earlier announced suspension of the Treaty following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Chouhan emphasized that this decision would now enable India to utilize the waters of the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers for irrigation and agriculture within its own territory. “This is a just and timely move. Our farmers have suffered for decades. That injustice is being corrected,” he added.

The remarks are likely to reignite debate over the international treaty, signed in 1960, which governs water sharing between India and Pakistan.