Soldier, farmer equal pillars of nation: Rajnath

Bhopal: Soldiers on the border and farmers in the fields are equally vital to the nation, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday, underlining the shared role of security and food security in India's growth. Addressing the Unnat Krishi Mahotsav–2026 in Raisen, Singh said the country's strength rests as much on its jawan as on its farmer. The three-day agriculture exhibition and training programme was inaugurated by Singh, CM Mohan Yadav and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.Organised jointly by the union ministry of agriculture and the state govt's agriculture dept, the event also witnessed the launch of a Soil Mobile App e-form to assist farmers in soil testing. The app will facilitate farmers to check the health of their soil on their own. Unnat Krishsi Mahotsav will continue until 13 April.With agricultural markets going online, farmers can now sell their produce from home. Although he serves as the country's defence minister, Singh said, he remains a farmer at heart.Union Defence Minister Singh, sharing an innovative initiative of the defence ministry, said that the ministry has decided to procure fruits and vegetables grown through natural farming from farmers located near military cantonments across the country. The procurement of such products from outside has been discontinued, which has increased farmers' income and improved their standard of living. The defence ministry is also promoting Shri Anna (millets), ensuring better prices for farmers in areas surrounding cantonments.CM Yadav said the organisation of the advanced agriculture festival in the presence of the defence minister is a tribute to both the hardworking farmers in the fields and the brave soldiers guarding the borders.Due to the hard work of farmers, the country's food grain exports have doubled. Raisen district alone exports Basmati rice to more than 47 countries.Union minister for agriculture and farmers welfare and rural development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Raisen is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites—Sanchi and Bhimbetka.During the Mahotsav, farmers will receive information on integrated farming, which can generate an income of up to Rs 2 lakh per acre. Around 20 sessions have been organised on various agricultural topics, providing guidance from seed to market.Chouhan appreciated Yadav for dedicating the entire year to farmers' welfare. He informed that on April 12, an agricultural roadmap for 4–5 districts of his parliamentary constituency will be presented. The Union Agriculture Ministry will start implementing this model from Raisen, Bhopal, Vidisha, and Sehore, and later extend it across the country.