New Delhi is buzzing with anticipation as Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan gears up for a crucial one-day visit to Chhattisgarh on January 31. This strategic trip underscores the central government’s commitment to bridging the gap between policymakers and the farming community.
Arriving in Raipur, Chouhan will kick off his itinerary with field visits to Girhola and Khapri villages in Durg district. Here, he’ll engage directly with farmers through farm walks and tree-planting drives, highlighting key schemes like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, National Agriculture Development Scheme, natural farming initiatives, and micro-irrigation under PMKSY. The minister aims to ensure maximum enrollment by demystifying these programs on the ground.
Post-lunch, the spotlight shifts to Kumhari in Durg, where Chouhan will headline a vibrant farmers’ fair organized by the Chhattisgarh Youth Progressive Farmers Association. Expect in-depth discussions on modern farming techniques, crop diversification, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), digital agriculture, and pathways to double farmers’ incomes via rural livelihood missions.
Throughout the day, Chouhan will spotlight transformative central schemes: direct benefit transfers under PM Kisan for smallholders, crop insurance against natural calamities, digital missions, drone technology in agriculture, and rural development flagships like PMAY-Gramin, PM Gram Sadak Yojana, and NRLM. These initiatives are pivotal in fortifying rural infrastructure, boosting incomes, and empowering self-help groups.
The visit culminates at Mahanadi Bhawan in Naya Raipur with a high-level review meeting alongside Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and state ministers. The agenda covers progress on road construction, housing approvals, women’s SHG empowerment, organic farming expansion, seed-fertilizer availability, credit access, and agri-infrastructure funding.
This outreach is more than a routine visit; it’s a clarion call for collaborative action to propel Chhattisgarh’s agriculture and rural economy forward, aligning with national strategies for sustainable growth and farmer prosperity.