Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday urged industry players to sing the national song 'Vande Mataram' at every event.
Addressing an agri-business summit organised by industry body PHDCCI, Chouhan said, "The full song of Vande Mataram is not sung today. What's the problem in singing it fully."
"I want to ask you all, what's wrong in singing it? I urge whenever such events are organised, sing Vande Mataram before the start of the programme," Chouhan said.
The song, he said, is one of the inspiration that stirs emotions in everyone towards the Motherland.
Speaking about the agriculture sector, the minister said two key issues that need to be addressed -- spurious seeds and pesticides, and the disparity in prices that farmers receive for their produce compared to retail markets.
The seeds and pesticide management laws are being amended to ensure the sale and production of quality inputs to farmers, he said.
The minister also stressed on the need to maintain parity between farm gate and retail prices to protect the interests of farmers.
Chouhan said the ministry has scheduled a brainstorming session 'Chintan Baitak' on December 22-23 in Karnal, Haryana, to discuss policy gaps and find solutions that address farmers' concerns.