- Encourage farmers to adopt cultivation of pulses, oilseeds and millets instead of paddy, provision of subsidy of Rs 15,000 per acre
- Instructions to complete all preparations for paddy procurement on time, strict action will be taken against substandard seed and pesticide sellers.
- Marathon review of agricultural mechanization, fertilizer-seed distribution, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries schemes
- Two to three unique agricultural models will be developed in each district, increasing farmers’ income by connecting them to the market.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi stated that increasing the income of the state’s farmers, expanding modern agricultural techniques, and effectively implementing agriculture-based schemes are the state government’s top priorities. He directed officials to encourage farmers to produce profitable crops in accordance with market demand, along with traditional farming. Specifically, a concrete action plan should be developed to increase the acreage of pulses, oilseeds, millets, and other high-yielding crops in place of paddy.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi was addressing a marathon review meeting of Raipur division officials today. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the progress of central and state-sponsored schemes run by agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, cooperatives, seed corporation, market board, and other related departments. He directed the implementation of these schemes to ensure quality, transparency, and timeliness.
- Paddy procurement campaign to begin from November 15, instructions to ensure all necessary arrangements
Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi reviewed preparations for the paddy procurement campaign, which begins on November 15th, the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda. He said that farmers should not face any inconvenience in selling paddy. To this end, the relevant departments, including Agriculture, Cooperation, and Markfed, should coordinate with each other and ensure all necessary arrangements are made in time. He also reviewed the availability, storage, and distribution of fertilizers and seeds and directed the use of the Saathi portal for transparency and effective monitoring of these operations.
- Dissatisfaction over slow progress in crop diversification, emphasis on increasing area under pulses, oilseeds and millets
Expressing displeasure over the slow progress of crop diversification, Mr. Pardeshi directed officials to accelerate it. He urged farmers to adopt cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and millet crops like kodo-kutki and ragi instead of paddy. He explained that there is a provision to provide a subsidy of 15,000 rupees per acre to farmers for cultivating other designated crops instead of paddy. He emphasized the need to widely publicize this scheme to benefit as many farmers as possible. Emphasizing the expansion of horticultural crops, he directed the promotion of cultivation of flowers, fruits, makhana, and oil palm. He emphasized that crop diversification should not be limited to increasing production, but should also focus on increasing farmers’ income and providing them with sustainable markets.
- In case of crop damage due to cyclone, immediate survey should be conducted and farmers should be provided relief.
The Agriculture Production Commissioner directed officials to remain vigilant, considering the potential impact of Cyclone “Arnab” in the Bay of Bengal. He said that if the cyclone damages farmers’ crops in any area of the state, an immediate survey should be conducted. He directed that cases be prepared for affected farmers and relief and assistance be provided as per eligibility under existing government rules and schemes.
- Farmers should be provided practical training in operating machines so that the real benefits of agricultural mechanization reach them.
Reviewing the agricultural mechanization submission, Mr. Pardeshi stated that the government is providing various agricultural equipment to farmers to promote modern farming. Despite this, agricultural machinery imported from other states, including Haryana and Punjab, is increasingly being used during crop sowing and harvesting. This situation merits serious consideration. He directed officials to provide farmers receiving agricultural equipment under government schemes with proper practical training in the operation, maintenance, and use of the machines. This will enable farmers to better utilize the available agricultural equipment and reduce farming costs.
- A special campaign will be launched against those selling substandard pesticides, action will also be taken against those forcibly selling other products.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi took the complaints of irregularities in private agricultural exchange centers seriously and gave strict instructions to the officials. He said that such complaints are being received that some private sellers force the farmers who buy seeds or pesticides from reputed companies to buy other substandard products. This type of force tagging trend should be stopped immediately. He directed to conduct special investigation campaign against the establishments selling pesticides and substandard products without license and to take strict legal action against the culprits as per the rules. He asked the officials to ensure regular inspection and continuous monitoring.
- Initiative to cultivate black rice on 700 acres in Balodabazar lauded, other districts should also adopt the model
In the meeting, the Agriculture Production Commissioner placed special emphasis on connecting farmers with market-based and more profitable farming. He directed them to take advantage of the commercial potential of aromatic rice and other specialized agricultural products. During the meeting, the Collector of Balodabazar district informed that black rice is being produced on approximately 700 acres in the Kasdol development block of the district. For its marketing, coordination has been established with a Japanese company, and information was given about selling it at the rate of 25 thousand rupees per quintal.
Agricultural Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi praised the initiative, noting that such market-based agricultural models can play a vital role in increasing farmers’ incomes. He directed officials in other districts to adopt such innovations based on local conditions, production capacity, and market demand.
- Two to three specific agricultural models will be developed in every district
Mr. Pardeshi directed officials in all districts of Raipur division to coordinate with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and select two to three specific agricultural activities suited to the district’s climate, soil, available resources, and market demand. He urged that these activities be developed as models to establish a distinct identity for the respective districts in the agricultural sector. This will provide farmers with new technologies, improved production, and marketing opportunities.
- Ensure procurement of crops and timely payment to farmers under PM-ASHA
While reviewing the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-Asha), the Agriculture Production Commissioner gave instructions to ensure the purchase of the prescribed crops and timely payment to the farmers.
In the meeting, the officials informed that the campaign being run to encourage the use of Nano DAP and Nano Urea has accelerated the efforts to reduce the dependence on traditional solid fertilizers. Giving information about the satisfactory condition of seed production and storage, the officials said that work is being done towards providing quality seeds to the farmers directly through the Seed Corporation instead of middlemen. In the meeting, the officials of Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department also gave information about the progress of departmental schemes and the activities conducted to benefit the farmers and animal husbandry.
- Divisional review will expedite the implementation of schemes.
It is noteworthy that Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi is holding a series of review meetings with officials from various divisions of the state. The purpose of these meetings is to assess the on-the-ground progress of agriculture and related department schemes, resolve problems in implementation, and ensure timely benefits of government schemes to farmers. In this regard, a detailed review meeting of the Raipur division was held today.
Present in the meeting were Agriculture Department Director Mr. Rahul Dev, Markfed Managing Director Mr. Jitendra Shukla, Chhattisgarh State Seed and Agriculture Development Corporation Managing Director Mr. Ajay Agarwal, Livestock Development Department Director Mr. Chandrakant Verma, Fisheries Department Director Mr. N.S. Nag, Mandi Board Managing Director Mr. Mahendra Sawanni, Apex Bank Managing Director, Collectors of all districts of Raipur Division, Chief Executive Officers of District Panchayats and senior officers of Agriculture, Cooperation and related departments.