- Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam presented the achievements of the state in the Bhubaneswar Zonal Conference, the Centre appreciated it.
Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam presented Chhattisgarh as a national model of agricultural innovation, farmers’ welfare and sustainable farming at the National Zonal Conference held on May 19 in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the state government is working by giving top priority to increasing farmers’ income, agricultural diversification and rural prosperity. Union Agriculture Minister Chauhan congratulated and wished Chhattisgarh for achieving the first position among the five northeastern states in achieving the target under the Oilseeds Mission.
Minister Shri Netam informed that 21 quintals of paddy per acre is being procured from farmers in the state at the rate of Rs 3100 per quintal, which is considered to be the most transparent and historic support system for paddy in the country. In the last three years, the state government has made direct payments of approximately Rs 1.40 lakh crore into farmers’ accounts by purchasing a record 437 lakh metric tonnes of paddy.
- From landless labourers to digital farming, Chhattisgarh’s comprehensive agricultural vision
At the conference, Minister Netam stated that the state government is not limited to large farmers, but is also providing economic security to landless agricultural laborers. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Landless Agricultural Laborer Scheme, more than 500,000 families are receiving annual assistance of 10,000 rupees directly into their bank accounts. He explained that Chhattisgarh is rapidly emerging as a hub for horticulture and alternative farming. Coffee and anise cultivation in Bastar and tea cultivation in Jashpur are opening up new economic possibilities in tribal areas.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi informed the zonal conference that 128 high-tech nurseries, 71 cold storages, 63 packhouses, and 428 solar dryers have been developed in the state. Significant work is also being done in the fields of oil palm, bamboo mission, natural farming, pulses and oilseeds expansion, and agroforestry. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, claim amounts of more than Rs. 854 crore have been distributed to approximately 4.89 lakh farmers. Mr. Pardeshi informed the conference that the agricultural system in Chhattisgarh is being made digital and transparent through AI, drone technology, and integrated farmer portals.
- Union Agriculture Minister Chauhan praised Chhattisgarh
At the National Zonal Conference, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the Chhattisgarh government for its outstanding performance in the AgriStech Portal, Pulses and Oilseeds Extension, PM ASHA Scheme, Natural Farming, and Oilseeds Mission. He congratulated Chhattisgarh for achieving first place in the Oilseeds Mission target among the five states of Northeast and Eastern India: West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
On this occasion, Agriculture Ministers of 5 states, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Departmental Secretary of Chhattisgarh Government, Mr. Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi, Director Agriculture, Mr. Rahul Dev, Director Horticulture, Mr. Lokesh Chandrakar and Joint Director Agriculture, Mr. Gayaram were present.