Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai held a high-level review meeting at the Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat in Raipur. The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of central and state government schemes related to agriculture and rural development and discussing future strategic directions.
Union Minister Shri Chouhan praised the Chhattisgarh government’s strong commitment and administrative efficiency in advancing agricultural and rural development. He described the state’s performance as exemplary and emphasized that realizing the vision of a ‘Developed India’ requires building developed villages and prosperous farmers.
During the review, Shri Chouhan stressed the need to link the ‘Amrit Sarovar Yojana’ to local employment generation and water conservation. He noted that this would lead to increased livelihood opportunities in villages and deliver measurable outcomes in sustainable water management.
He assured the state government that the proposal to revise the labour budget under the MGNREGA scheme (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) would be considered. He also reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and emphasized the need for timely construction of sanctioned houses and physical verification of newly surveyed beneficiaries.
Pushing for Scientific Farming and Digital Empowerment in Villages: The Union Minister lauded the establishment of ‘Atal Digital Suvidha Kendras’ in village panchayats by the Chhattisgarh government, calling it a model of rural digital empowerment that could be replicated across other states.
While reviewing the agriculture sector, Shri Chouhan stated that boosting farmers’ incomes requires efforts beyond traditional farming—such as animal husbandry, horticulture, and fisheries. He advocated for the adoption of scientific farming practices, improved seeds, organic agriculture, and crop rotation to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Farmers to Receive Training in Modern Techniques: Shri Chouhan announced that the Central Government’s ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ will begin on May 29, under which teams of agricultural scientists will visit districts across the country, including Chhattisgarh, to train farmers in modern and practical farming methods. He urged the state government to actively participate in the campaign to ensure its success at the grassroots level.
