Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
Chief Minister Shri Sai is doing excellent work on all aspects of agriculture and rural development
Promoting fine and aromatic rice varieties to increase farmers’ income
Union Agriculture Minister reviews departmental work
Raipur : Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said that special efforts are being made in collaboration with the state government to make Chhattisgarh advanced and self-reliant in the field of agriculture.
A team of senior agricultural scientists from the central government and state government officials will formulate a special policy in line with Chhattisgarh’s agro-climate within the next week. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary Shahla Nigar, along with senior administrative officers from the central and state governments, were present at the meeting.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, after a high-level review of the functioning of the Agriculture Department at the Mahanadi Bhavan Secretariat today, addressed the officers and said that crop diversification needs to be promoted in the state to increase farmers’ income.
Along with this, subsidiary activities such as animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry should be promoted for small and marginal farmers.
Union Minister Chouhan said that the problems of research and variety development in the state will be addressed, and work will be done on crop diversification. Chouhan said that work is being done with better coordination in Chhattisgarh, and there are immense possibilities for further improvement. Agriculture will be further strengthened through various experiments.
He said that research should be such that it directly benefits the farmers. He reviewed the scheme for strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations, the physical verification of the distribution of agricultural machinery, and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhan Yojana (Prime Minister’s Grain and Wealth Scheme).
The Union Minister interacted with the agricultural officers and colleagues of Chhattisgarh, emphasised teamwork and innovation, and said that those who do good work will be rewarded.
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also reviewed the implementation of Central and State Government schemes for agricultural development and empowerment of farmers in Chhattisgarh.
Union Minister Chauhan said that Chhattisgarh has a suitable climate for diverse crops. He emphasised crop diversification, suggesting that different crops should be promoted in different districts and regions of the state, based on the local climate.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuous and meaningful efforts are being made to increase the income of farmers across the country.
He said that adopting modern agricultural equipment and techniques, and cultivating with innovation, will increase crop production, empower farmers, and enrich the nation. He added that excellent work is being done in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Union Minister Chauhan reviewed the progress of various schemes, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses, Krishi Unnati, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, and the Horticulture Mission. He emphasised that it should be ensured that all eligible farmers receive 100% of the benefits under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
He also stressed the importance of promoting palm oil and makhana (fox nut) cultivation.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan for the prompt support received from the central government in the field of agriculture and rural development.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is receiving more assistance from the central government than expected. He added that the guidance received from Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan during the meeting to improve the rural development and agriculture sectors in the state will accelerate the development of these areas.
