Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday handed over financial sanction letters worth more than ₹1,200 crore to agriculture ministers of 10 states under the Prime Minister Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). According to the latest Press Information Bureau release, the disbursement included ₹290 crore for West Bengal, ₹198 crore for Haryana, ₹181 crore for Chhattisgarh, ₹154 crore for Arunachal Pradesh, ₹114 crore for Bihar, ₹104 crore for Karnataka, ₹75 crore for Mizoram, ₹64 crore for Himachal Pradesh, ₹58 crore for Jharkhand and ₹43 crore for Punjab. As reported by PIB, Chouhan emphasized that the Union Government was not limiting itself to policy formulation, but was also ensuring timely availability of resources to states so that implementation of schemes could begin on the ground without delay.
Highlighting the country's agricultural progress, Chouhan reported that agriculture growth rate has increased from 3 per cent to 4.5 per cent since 2015. As reported by PIB, the average annual increase in foodgrain production has more than doubled, rising from around 40 lakh tonnes earlier to 84 lakh tonnes per year. He noted that in just two years, from 2023-24 to 2025-26, rabi foodgrain production recorded an unprecedented increase of 205 lakh tonnes. Chouhan attributed this historic growth to the collective efforts of state agriculture departments, scientists and farmers, stressing that the government is pursuing a multi-dimensional strategy to ensure farmers receive fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
Chouhan announced a new mechanism to strengthen cooperative federalism, as reported by PIB. On the lines of weekly reviews conducted at the Centre, regular monthly virtual review meetings with states will now be held to continuously assess progress. At the state level, a strong State Agriculture Team will be constituted by bringing together the Agriculture Minister, Agriculture Secretary, state agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ATMA and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Monthly meetings will also be held at the district level, involving the Collector, Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA), ATMA, KVKs, ICAR scientists, bankers and farmers. To ensure advance preparation for agricultural campaigns, PIB reports that district-level meetings will be held on May 10 and state-level meetings on May 17 every year for Kharif campaign, while for Rabi campaign, district-level meetings will be held on September 10 and state-level meetings on September 17 every year. In addition, a one-day special meeting will be organised across the country on a common date, bringing together Agriculture Ministers, officials and agricultural scientists simultaneously to discuss issues concerning farmers.
Emphasising the need to protect soil health and the environment, Chouhan called for a nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' from October 22 to November 30 this year. According to PIB, scientists and all key stakeholders will actively participate in the campaign. The campaign will promote balanced use of fertilisers based on Soil Health Cards to protect soil fertility and beneficial insects. He also called for large-scale promotion of pulse cultivation in rice fallow areas of eastern India, particularly in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal, after the paddy harvest. As part of preparations for the current rabi season, Chouhan stressed that recommendations on crops and improved seeds should be based on soil moisture and water availability, directing states to put in place effective arrangements to protect crops from diseases and pests and ensure saturation of all eligible farmers with Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs). He also emphasised that state ministers should personally undertake regular reviews of the implementation of departmental schemes.
Chouhan stressed that the government is pursuing a multi-dimensional strategy to ensure farmers receive fair and remunerative prices for their produce. As reported by PIB, the strategy includes strengthening post-harvest management, scientific warehousing and marketing systems. He announced that 100 per cent assured government procurement of tur, urad and masoor at MSP would be undertaken, with arrangements for payment within 48 hours. He also stated that India would leverage new market opportunities from international Free Trade Agreements to connect agricultural products with global markets. Calling for agriculture to become more sustainable and remunerative, Chouhan urged states to adopt natural farming, integrated farming systems and crop diversification in mission mode, while directing that forced tagging be completely eliminated and states take strict legal action against fake fertilisers, spurious seeds and sub-standard pesticides.
