The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launches ‘PRAGATI’ initiative.
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has launched ‘PRAGATI’ initiative to create a nationwide ecosystem of 20,000 agri entrepreneurs.‘PRAGATI’ is a multi stakeholder initiative focused on advancing regenerative agriculture through inclusive agri entrepreneurship, to drive sustainable rural transformation across India.PepsiCo Foundation, State Bank of India Foundation, Gates Foundation, IDH, Heifer International, Environmental Defence Fund, Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundations International Association, and Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation, and Transform Rural India Foundation have come together to launch ‘PRAGATI’.A media statement said ‘PRAGATI’ aims to create a nationwide ecosystem of 20,000 agri entrepreneurs on top of existing network of more than 26,000 agri entrepreneurs, with a strong emphasis on inclusive participation, targeting balanced representation within the field. The initiative is expected to positively impact over 2 million smallholder farmers. The programme will be implemented across key agricultural states, including Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.Through this initiative, participants will be supported through training, mentorship, and resources to develop as local entrepreneurs delivering a comprehensive suite of services to farmers. These services will span agronomy advisory, access to soil health services, mechanisation solutions, credit linkages, market access, and livelihood opportunities.In parallel, the programme will advance financial and digital inclusion by facilitating access to credit, insurance, savings, and government entitlements, supported by the establishment of 20,000 agri entrepreneur-led kiosks, it said.Quoting Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the statement said the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) cannot be achieved without a developed agricultural sector and prosperous villages. He said the government’s focus is not limited to increasing agricultural production, but also includes reducing cultivation costs, increasing farmers’ incomes, promoting crop diversification, and making agriculture more profitable.He emphasized that traditional farming alone is not sufficient for small and marginal farmers. Therefore, promoting value addition, food processing, and agriculture-based entrepreneurship is essential. He said ‘PRAGATI’ is an extension of this vision and will help create pathways to increase farmers’ incomes by connecting them with technology, farm mechanisation, soil health management, and better market access.Stating that farming alone will not be enough, he said farmers need to move towards value addition and diversification. Areas such as horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and beekeeping have the potential to significantly increase farmers’ incomes. He highlighted the use of technology, including drones, digital advisory services, and scientific farming, as the foundation of the future of agriculture.Monica Bauer, Senior Vice President, Global Social Impact, PepsiCo, and President, PepsiCo Foundation, said: “Through this partnership, the PepsiCo Foundation is proud to work alongside programme partners to help expand access to the tools and knowledge farmers need to grow more sustainably and help strengthen food systems for generations to come.”Jagrut Kotecha, CEO, PepsiCo India and South Asia, said: “At PepsiCo India, we believe the future of agriculture lies in building ecosystems that create long-term value for farmers, communities, and the broader value chain. PRAGATI is a much needed intervention that brings together organisations with a shared intent, and the expertise, to help create new opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.”Swapan Dhan, MD and CEO, SBI Foundation, said the future of Indian agriculture lies in empowering those closest to the farmer. “Guided by our philosophy of service beyond banking, PRAGATI is not just about creating agri entrepreneurs, it brings along institutions with diverse expertise to carve out a nationwide movement of local change makers who will drive farmer prosperity, climate resilience, and financial inclusion,” Dhan said.--EOM--Published on July 9, 2026
