Expansion of irrigation facilities, crop diversification and modern technology will make farming more profitable - Chief Minister Shri Sai

Expansion of irrigation facilities, crop diversification and modern technology will make farming more profitable - Chief Minister Shri Sai 'Farmers and Women Farmers Incentive and Outcome' dialogue program honored progressive farmers record purchase of paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal, new momentum for irrigation projects and emphasis on agriculture-based employment Raipur / Farming is not only a means of livelihood but also the foundation of Chhattisgarh's culture, economy and social life. The Chhattisgarh government, prioritizing agricultural prosperity and farmers, is continuously working to make farming more profitable, modern and sustainable. To increase farmers' income, special focus is being given to expanding irrigation facilities, crop diversification, use of modern agricultural technologies, mechanisation and promotion of agriculture-based enterprises. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said this today in Raipur at the 'Farmers and Women Farmers Incentive and Outcome' dialogue program. He honored progressive farmers from various districts for excellent farming, innovation and notable contributions to agriculture. The program was attended by agricultural experts, representatives, industry and various sector representatives. Engagement with farmer families gave an opportunity to understand farming challenges up close - Chief Minister Shri Sai. Addressing the program, CM Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said his life has always been linked to farming. Being born in a farmer family, he worked in fields from childhood and witnessed farming hardships and farmers' needs. He said even while serving as a Union Minister in Delhi, he regularly gathered information about his village and fields and visited the fields upon returning to the village. He noted remarkable changes in agriculture in recent years. Earlier farmers depended on moneylenders or loans due to lack of capital, whereas today they receive timely credit through schemes like farmer credit cards. He called the farmer credit card scheme launched by former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee a historic decision for farmers. He said today farmers are provided KCC loans at zero percent interest, making farming easier than before. CM Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that after coming to power, the promises made to farmers were fulfilled first. He said Chhattisgarh is now among the states that pay the highest price for paddy. The state government purchases paddy from farmers at Rs 3100 per quintal up to 21 quintals per acre and also paid two years' pending bonus. He reported that in the last kharif marketing season, about 2.5 million farmers sold a record 141 million metric tons of paddy, strengthening farmers' economic condition and giving new momentum to the rural economy. CM Shri Sai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal is to double farmers' income and the state government is working in that direction. He said the government's aim is to give farmers better prices for their produce, reduce production costs and provide all necessary resources so that farming becomes a profit-making business. He emphasized encouraging farmers to shift from paddy-only cultivation to diversified crops, and important amendments have been made in the Krishak Unnati Yojana. Crop diversification will receive incentives. CM Shri Sai said farmers cultivating pulses, oilseeds, maize, kodo-kutki instead of paddy will receive assistance of Rs 15,000 per acre. He said horticulture, vegetable production, fishery, animal husbandry, dairy and small forest-based activities are also being promoted rapidly to develop multiple income sources for farmers. Special emphasis on expanding irrigation facilities. He said irrigation facilities play the most important role in increasing farmers' income. The state government is rapidly working on new irrigation projects, barrages, anicuts and canal extensions to bring water to more fields. He said solar irrigation pumps are being provided to farmers and micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler are being promoted. Modern agricultural machinery is also being provided on subsidy. He said about Rs 2000 crore will be spent on constructing barrages at Matanar and Deurgaon on the Indravati River in Bastar, providing irrigation to thousands of farmers. About Rs 3000 crore administrative approval has been given for the Sikasar-Kodar canal linking project, benefiting farmers of plains Chhattisgarh. Approximately Rs 2800 crore has been approved for reconstruction and improvement of various irrigation projects. New era of development in Bastar. CM Shri Sai said after the weakening of Naxalism, a new wave of development is flowing in Bastar. He said the Munne and Niyad Nellanar scheme has increased reach of government schemes to remote areas. He said former security camps are being developed as 'Sevadera' and about 70 security camps will be converted. He mentioned that Sevadera in Netanar now has activities like amla packaging, providing new employment and income opportunities. Modern technology changing farming picture. He said women of Chhattisgarh are becoming 'drone sisters' spraying nano DAP and earning better income through modern agricultural technologies. He said many educated youth are leaving good jobs to pursue modern farming and agri‑enterprise, a sign of growing confidence in agriculture. New industrial policy will increase employment opportunities. CM Shri Sai said the new industrial policy is receiving positive response nationwide. He said about Rs 8 lakh crore investment MoUs have been signed, many projects have already started on ground. He said investments in semiconductor, textile, data centre and other new sectors will create large scale employment for the state's youth. Development also accelerating in education, health and infrastructure. He said along with agricultural development, the state government is bringing wide changes in education, health and infrastructure. He said national level institutions like IIT, IIM and AIIMS are operating in Chhattisgarh. After Naxalism reduction in Bastar, education and health services have expanded rapidly and even complex surgeries like brain tumor removal are being successfully performed. He said rail infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. World‑class upgrades are being done at 32 railway stations. Recently the Kharsia‑Parmalaksa rail line got approval and the long‑pending Katghora‑Dongargarh rail project is also about to be realized. The program was attended by Industry Minister Shri Lakhnalal Devangan, Vice‑President of State Animal Welfare Commission Shri Rajiv Lochan Ji Maharaj, editor of Nayi Duniya newspaper Shri Satish Chandra Srivastav and many representatives, agricultural experts, progressive farmers and dignitaries.