- Over 2.5 million (25 lakh) farmers receive payments totaling ₹35,904 crore under the ‘Krishak Unnati Yojana’; impetus given to crop diversification and the production of ‘Shri Anna’ (millets)
- Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam and Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi highlight the achievements of the Agriculture Department during a joint press conference
The state government of Chhattisgarh is undertaking several significant initiatives aimed at ensuring the economic prosperity of farmers, making agriculture profitable, and providing a new direction to farming. Through the ‘Krishak Unnati Yojana’ (Farmers’ Progress Scheme), the government is providing financial support to farmers while simultaneously encouraging the production of pulses and oilseeds, crop diversification, and the cultivation of ‘Shri Anna’ (millets). Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam and Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi addressed a joint press conference today at the ‘Chhattisgarh Samvad’ auditorium in Naya Raipur, where they outlined the key achievements, schemes, and future action plans of the Agriculture Department. The Director of the Agriculture Department, Shri Rahul Dev, was also present on the occasion.
Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam stated that the state government is committed to increasing farmers’ incomes, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce, and making agriculture more profitable. In this pursuit, financial assistance is being provided to farmers across the state through the ‘Krishak Unnati Yojana’. From the Kharif season of 2023 through 2025, a total of ₹35,904.90 crore has been disbursed to more than 2.5 million (25 lakh) farmers under this scheme. This includes ₹13,289 crore for the Kharif 2023 season, ₹11,976 crore for Kharif 2024, and ₹10,639 crore for Kharif 2025. Farmers to Benefit from Input Assistance of ₹13,839 per Acre
Agriculture Minister Mr. Netam stated that the ‘Krishak Unnati Yojana’ (Farmers’ Prosperity Scheme) includes a provision to provide a uniform input assistance of ₹13,839 per acre to farmers. This will grant farmers the flexibility to sell their paddy according to their own needs and convenience. They will remain eligible for the assistance even if they sell a smaller quantity of paddy than what corresponds to their registered acreage. Furthermore, to encourage crop diversification, the assistance provided to farmers who opt for crops other than paddy has been increased from ₹11,000 to ₹15,000 per acre. Under this component, more than 52,000 farmers have registered, covering an area exceeding 28,000 hectares.
Mr. Netam mentioned that there is a provision to provide assistance of ₹10,000 per acre to farmers cultivating crops such as pulses, oilseeds, maize, Kodo, Kutki, Ragi, and cotton. So far, 426,185 farmers have registered under this initiative, covering an area of over 266,000 hectares. This effort will help reduce dependence on paddy and encourage farmers to shift toward alternative, profitable crops.
- Opportunity for Pulse and Oilseed Growers to Sell Produce at MSP
The Agriculture Minister informed the media that, under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA), pulses and oilseeds are being procured in the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). In the 2025-26 period, a total of 372,039 quintals of pigeon pea (arhar), soybean, chickpea (chana), lentil (masoor), and mustard were procured through 273 procurement centers across 29 districts of the state. In exchange, farmers were paid a total of ₹219.08 crore. In this process, 354,127 quintals of chickpeas (chana) alone were procured, and a payment of Rs 207.59 crore was made to 24,257 farmers.
- Promotion of ‘Shri Anna’ (Millets) Production and Processing
Agriculture Minister Mr. Netam stated that to encourage the production of traditional, nutritious grains—such as Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi—in Chhattisgarh, these crops will be procured through Markfed during the Kharif marketing year 2026-27. The procurement period has been set from December 15, 2026, to February 15, 2027. Ragi will be procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) set by the Government of India, while Kodo and Kutki will be procured at rates determined by the State Government. The procured ‘Shri Anna’ (millets) will be supplied to Anganwadis and middle schools, based on demand and availability. Furthermore, these grains will also be supplied to processing units, as well as to government, semi-government, and private institutions. This initiative will foster not only the production of millets but also their processing and marketing.
Mr. Netam noted that through these state government initiatives, efforts are being made to provide farmers with economic security, fair prices for their produce, and new agricultural alternatives. By promoting crop diversification, the production of pulses and oilseeds, and the cultivation of ‘Shri Anna’ (millets), the aim is to make Chhattisgarh’s agricultural economy more comprehensive and robust.