Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, participated in a high-level review meeting on Maharashtra’s agriculture and rural development schemes in Nagpur today. The meeting was held at the auditorium of the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) on Amravati Road and was also attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
During the meeting, Shri Chouhan emphasized the need to develop crop varieties suited to the climatic conditions of different regions. He also directed officials to ensure that every farmer receives a unique Farmer ID, stating that in the future, no agricultural scheme benefits should be granted without it.
Shri Chouhan reiterated the Centre’s full support for Maharashtra’s agriculture initiatives. He stressed the urgent need to develop climate-resilient and high-yielding cotton varieties, especially for low-rainfall regions. He also called for the formulation of a “Model Cropping System” tailored to the state’s agro-climatic needs.
The review meeting was attended by Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister Shri Manikrao Kokate, Rural Development Minister Shri Jaykumar Gore, Minister of State for Finance Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Shri Vikas Rastogi, and Principal Secretary (Rural Development) Shri Eknath Dawale, along with senior officials from both the central and state governments. Shri Rastogi gave a detailed presentation on topics including Maharashtra’s climate, rainfall trends, agricultural challenges, preparations for Kharif 2025, fertilizer and seed availability, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, AgriStack campaign, and future plans.
Showcasing Farmers’ Success Stories: Successful agricultural practices adopted by farmers from various regions of the state were also presented during the meeting. Shri Chouhan urged that inspiring stories—such as that of Raosaheb Mohite from Tapargaon in Sambhajinagar, Eknath Talekar from Rui (Dhanora) in Beed district engaged in sericulture, and Vandana Rathod from Jawla in Yavatmal district involved in orchid farming—should be widely disseminated across the country.
Review of Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Progress under centrally sponsored schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), PM Janman Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Self-Help Group programs, and MGNREGA was thoroughly reviewed. Shri Chouhan appreciated the Maharashtra government for successfully achieving MGNREGA targets.
One Crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ is the Goal: Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis informed that the state’s Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides ₹1500 per month to women, has significantly supported them in self-employment and essential household needs. Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme, the government is striving to make women financially self-reliant. The state aims to empower one crore women to become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in the coming years.
Read More- Mukhyamantri Krishi Vidyut Sambandh Yojana
