Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches PRAGATI to Train 20,000 Agri-Entrepreneurs Across India

New Delhi, July 10, 2026: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has launched PRAGATI, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at creating 20,000 agri-entrepreneurs and directly supporting over 20 lakh smallholder farmers across India. The programme brings together leading national and international organisations to promote regenerative agriculture, rural entrepreneurship and climate-resilient farming.

The initiative is backed by the PepsiCo Foundation, SBI Foundation, Gates Foundation, IDH, Heifer International, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy, Sustainable Agriculture Foundations International Association (SAFIA), Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF) and Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF).

PRAGATI builds on an existing network of over 26,000 agri-entrepreneurs and aims to expand it by creating another 20,000 entrepreneurs across Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The programme is expected to benefit more than 20 lakh farmers through advisory services, improved market access, financial inclusion and the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.

Speaking at the launch, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Rural Development, said the vision of Viksit Bharat depends on a prosperous agricultural sector and thriving villages. He noted that alongside increasing production, the government's focus is on reducing cultivation costs, diversifying crops, promoting value addition and strengthening agri-based entrepreneurship. He added that PRAGATI would help improve farmers' incomes by connecting them with technology, farm mechanisation, soil health management and better market access.

The initiative will train and mentor rural entrepreneurs to provide services such as agronomy advisory, soil health testing, mechanisation support, market linkages, credit access and financial literacy. It also plans to establish 20,000 agri-entrepreneur-led kiosks to improve access to banking, insurance, government schemes and digital services.

According to the programme partners, PRAGATI aims to increase participating farmers' incomes by at least 30%, improve yields of key crops such as paddy, maize and potato by 15–20%, and encourage the adoption of regenerative agriculture among at least 20% of participating farmers. The initiative will also focus on strengthening climate resilience and expanding access to formal financial systems in rural communities.