Austerity push in agriculture ministry: No gold buying, WFH and sustainability drive under Shivraj Singh Chouhan's plan

In a strong push for austerity, resource conservation, and self-reliance inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a series of sweeping cost-control and sustainability measures following a high-level review meeting with officials in New Delhi.

The meeting, held at the Krishi Bhawan, brought together officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, agricultural education bodies, and land resources departments.

No gold purchase for one year

One of the most striking decisions was a collective voluntary pledge by officials to refrain from purchasing gold for one year, except in unavoidable personal circumstances such as a daughter’s wedding or similar essential family events. Minister Chouhan described the move as a moral and symbolic commitment reflecting personal restraint in line with national interest.

Shift to virtual conferences

Two upcoming zonal agricultural conferences scheduled in Guwahati and Visakhapatnam will now be held in virtual mode instead of physical gatherings. This decision is expected to significantly reduce expenditure on travel, accommodation, logistics, and venue arrangements while maintaining administrative efficiency and stakeholder engagement.

Energy and office resource conservation

The ministry has also introduced strict guidelines to reduce electricity consumption in offices. Officials have been instructed to switch off lights, fans, air conditioners, and electronic equipment when not in use. Air-conditioning usage will be regulated to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

20% rotational work-from-home system

A rotational work-from-home arrangement covering approximately 20 per cent of employees will be implemented. Officials working remotely will remain fully accessible through phone, email, video conferencing, and e-office systems, ensuring no disruption in administrative functioning or file processing.

Car pooling and fuel saving on a weekly basis

In order to save fuel and make optimum utilisation of the transport resources, the government will introduce a policy of weekly car pooling. This practice will cover officials till the level of the director, which will help in saving almost one-third of the official vehicles, hence saving fuel and maintenance cost.

Restriction on official travel

Official travel as well as meetings will now be need-based only, while unnecessary tours and meetings will not be conducted, as far as possible and virtual meetings will be prioritised wherever possible to reduce expenditure and improve efficiency.

Campaign to reduce edible oil consumption

A nationwide awareness campaign will be launched to promote balanced and moderate consumption of edible oil. The initiative aims to improve public health outcomes and reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oils while strengthening domestic oilseed production programs.

Focus on natural farming and “Save the Farm” initiative

Minister Chouhan emphasised the need for balanced fertiliser use and promotion of natural farming practices. The agriculture ministry and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will launch a “Save the Farm Campaign,” under which scientists will visit villages to conduct soil testing and guide farmers on the optimal use of fertilisers based on soil composition.

The campaign is scheduled to run nationwide from June 1 for 15 days, with state governments collaborating to promote awareness about reducing excessive fertiliser use and improving soil health.

Preparation for Kharif season

The upcoming Kharif Conference on May 28–29 will focus on balanced fertiliser use, with a dedicated session on natural farming. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has been invited to share practical experiences in promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

“Small steps, big national impact”

Chouhan stated that even small measures can lead to significant national outcomes in the current global context. He emphasised that austerity, resource efficiency, and mindful consumption are not just economic necessities but national responsibilities—while ensuring that farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and agricultural productivity remain fully protected.