- The opening of 360 new paddy procurement centers will provide significant convenience to farmers and make the procurement process much smoother
- Paddy procurement will commence on November 15; comprehensive arrangements are being made for the convenience of farmers
- Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the ‘Utkrisht Krishak Ratna Samman Samaroh’ (Exemplary Farmer Award Ceremony)
- Progressive farmers from across the state were honored
- The hard work of farmers is the foundation of Chhattisgarh’s prosperity – Chief Minister Shri Sai
- Special emphasis is being placed on the expansion of irrigation facilities, with new irrigation projects worth approximately ₹10,000 crore initiated over the last two years
- ₹2,800 crore sanctioned for the renovation of 1,500 old irrigation projects, which will increase the irrigated area by 76,000 hectares
Ensuring the prosperity of farmers and increasing their income is among the top priorities of the state government. Agriculture forms the backbone of Chhattisgarh’s economy and rural life. The state government is working continuously to ensure that farmers—the providers of food—receive fair prices for their produce, that the cost of cultivation is reduced, and that all essential facilities, including irrigation, are made available. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated this while addressing the ‘Utkrisht Krishak Ratna Samman Samaroh,’ held at the Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late Manharan Lal Pandey.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai honored progressive farmers from various regions of the state with the ‘Utkrisht Krishak Ratna’ (Exemplary Farmer Award) and commended their contributions to the agricultural sector.
Chief Minister Shri Sai noted that approximately 80 percent of Chhattisgarh’s population is directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural activities. Therefore, the prosperity of farmers will pave the way for the prosperity of both our villages and the state as a whole. Our government is working with a firm resolve to increase farmers’ income and make agriculture a more profitable endeavor. 360 New Paddy Procurement Centers to Provide Major Convenience to Farmers
Chief Minister Mr. Sai stated that paddy procurement for this year will commence on November 15. Keeping the convenience of farmers in mind, the state government has decided to open 360 new paddy procurement centers to streamline the procurement process. With these new centers, farmers will no longer need to travel long distances to sell their paddy, and the pressure on existing procurement centers will also be reduced. This will save the farmers’ time and effort, making the entire paddy procurement process more convenient.
The Chief Minister emphasized that all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure that farmers face no difficulties in selling their paddy. The government’s objective is to enable every eligible farmer to sell their produce with ease.
- Honoring Progressive Farmers Will Encourage Innovation in the Agricultural Sector
While honoring progressive farmers from across the state at the event, Chief Minister Mr. Sai remarked that our farmers are doing remarkable work in the agricultural sector by integrating new technologies and innovations with traditional farming practices. Recognizing such farmers inspires others to adopt better and more advanced agricultural methods.
- The Life of the Late Manharan Lal Pandey Was Dedicated to Public Service
Chief Minister Mr. Sai paid a humble tribute to the late Manharan Lal Pandey, recalling his contributions with reverence. He noted that Mr. Pandey’s entire life was dedicated to public service.
He added that Mr. Pandey had a deep connection with farming and rural life, having made significant contributions—particularly toward the development of irrigation facilities. He served as an inspiration and a guide to us all. This initiative to honor farmers and social workers in his memory is truly commendable. The Chief Minister congratulated the organizing committee for this effort.
- Kisan Credit Card Has Provided Relief to Farmers from Moneylenders and High-Interest Loans
Chief Minister Mr. Sai stated that former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, introduced the ‘Kisan Credit Card’ (Farmer Credit Card) after recognizing the financial needs of the farming community. Previously, farmers were often forced to take out loans at high interest rates to secure the capital required for agricultural activities. The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) has brought about a major transformation in this situation.
He noted that there was a time when farmers had to borrow from cooperative banks at interest rates as high as 18 percent; today, however, they have access to agricultural loans at zero percent interest. This has made it easier to secure the capital required for farming and has significantly reduced the interest burden on farmers.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the welfare of farmers has been given the highest priority in national policy. The renaming of the Ministry of Agriculture to the ‘Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare’ signifies that the prosperity of farmers lies at the core of the government’s policies.
He added that under Prime Minister Shri Modi’s leadership, efforts are being made to promote agricultural research, modern technology, organic farming, and natural farming. Through new experiments and research in the agricultural sector, work is underway to increase production, lower cultivation costs, and boost farmers’ incomes.
The Chief Minister remarked that Prime Minister Shri Modi is working tirelessly to serve the 1.4 billion citizens of the country and to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). Under his leadership, India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy and is strengthening its identity as a powerful nation on the global stage.
- New irrigation projects worth approximately ₹10,000 crore launched over the last two years.
Chief Minister Shri Sai…He stated that the expansion of irrigation facilities is essential for agricultural prosperity. The state government is working rapidly in this direction. Over the last two years, new irrigation projects worth approximately ₹10,000 crore have been initiated in the state.
He mentioned that an amount of about ₹2,800 crore has been sanctioned for the renovation of 1,500 old irrigation projects across the state. Once these renovations are complete, the state’s irrigated area will increase. This will provide better irrigation facilities to a large number of farmers and help boost agricultural productivity.
The Chief Minister noted that work is also underway on several new irrigation projects, including the Matnar and Deurgaon projects on the Indravati River. The state government’s objective is to ensure that the benefits of irrigation facilities reach as many farmers and fields as possible, thereby reducing the dependence of agriculture on rainfall.
Addressing the gathering, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap recalled the contributions of the late Manharan Lal Pandey to social and public life. He stated that Shri Pandey dedicated his life to public service and worked consistently for the welfare of various sections of society.
Shri Kashyap remarked that Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai himself comes from a farming family and possesses a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by farmers. Under his leadership, the state government is continuously taking significant decisions in the interest of farmers and for the development of the agricultural sector.
The event was attended by a large number of people, including public representatives, prominent citizens, members of the ‘Shraddheya Manharan Lal Pandey Smriti Sansthan’ (Memorial Institute), and farmers from across the state. Notable attendees included Shri Karmveer Singh, Shri Akhilesh Soni, Shri Naveen Markandey, Shri Ram Garg, Shri Alok Chandra Thakur, Smt. Harshita Pandey, and Shri Anurag Pandey.