New Delhi, August 2026: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will administer the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ pledge to officials of the two ministries at the Pusa campus in New Delhi on August 18. The programme follows the priorities outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15.

The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening agriculture, accelerating rural development, expanding the Lakhpati Didi programme, and taking key decisions in the interests of farmers and rural communities. The discussions will also seek to establish a clear roadmap for translating the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 into actionable programmes across agriculture and rural development.

Progressive farmers, Lakhpati Didis, agricultural exporters and food processors will participate in the programme, providing perspectives from different segments of the rural economy.

‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ to Guide Agriculture and Rural Development

Shri Chouhan said the ‘Sapt Dhara of Shakti’ outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi provides an important direction for agriculture and rural India. He emphasised that the government would focus on converting the vision into action through people-centric programmes, transparent monitoring and effective implementation.

The roadmap will include a review of departmental plans and measures to accelerate their implementation, with particular emphasis on ensuring that farmers and rural women directly benefit from government initiatives.

Prime Minister Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, highlighted strengthening agriculture and food production, promoting food processing and expanding access to global markets among the key priorities. He also reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices amid global uncertainties.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of developing new international markets and creating additional opportunities for Indian farmers, particularly in agriculture and marine products, including seafood. Self-reliance in essential requirements such as fertilisers and fuel was also highlighted as an important component of India's long-term development strategy.

Lakhpati Didi Expansion Takes Centre Stage

A major focus of the August 18 meeting will be the expansion of the Lakhpati Didi programme under the Ministry of Rural Development.

According to the government, three crore rural women have already become Lakhpati Didis, while Prime Minister Modi has set a target of increasing this number to six crore. Shri Chouhan is expected to discuss the implementation roadmap required to achieve this target.

Women associated with Self-Help Groups are being supported through skill development, financial assistance and livelihood-oriented interventions aimed at increasing their incomes. The initiative forms part of the government's broader focus on women's economic empowerment and greater participation of rural women in economic activity.

She-Marts to Strengthen Market Access

Improving market access for women-led rural enterprises is another important component of the government's rural development agenda.

Initiatives such as She-Marts, announced in the Union Budget, are intended to provide rural women with better opportunities to market their products and build stronger enterprises. Branding and market-development initiatives are also expected to promote products associated with yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts and other rural enterprises.

The emphasis is on helping products created by rural women reach larger domestic and international markets, thereby strengthening income opportunities and encouraging women-led entrepreneurship in rural India.

Roadmap Towards Viksit Bharat 2047

The August 18 programme at Pusa is expected to bring together government officials and stakeholders from the agriculture and rural economy to translate the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 into practical action.

With agriculture, food processing, exports, women's economic empowerment and rural enterprises forming key components of the agenda, the government is seeking to build stronger links between agricultural production and higher-value markets.

The participation of farmers, Lakhpati Didis, exporters and food processors is expected to provide a broader stakeholder perspective as the ministries review their plans and chart the next phase of India's agriculture and rural development strategy.