There is a need for proper coordination of improved seeds, organic fertilizers, weather-adaptive methods, modern technology, smart irrigation, and market linkages to sustain farmers. This was stated by Union Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during a review meeting of agricultural and rural development schemes in Maharashtra, held today in Nagpur. The review meeting was organized at the auditorium of the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) on Amravati Road, with the prominent presence of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed the agriculture department to develop crop varieties suited to the weather conditions of different regions across the country. He also instructed to make special arrangements to provide each farmer with a Farmer ID and ensure that, in the future, benefits of agricultural schemes are not extended to farmers without an ID.
Chouhan further stated that Maharashtra will receive full support from the Center for various schemes and initiatives in the coming times. He emphasized the need to develop more cotton varieties, especially in the state, suited to climate change and rainfall patterns. There is also a need to develop high-yielding varieties for low-rainfall areas. He directed the development of a ‘Best Cropping Model’ for the state during the meeting.
Present at the occasion were State Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore, Minister of State for Finance Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Vikas Rastogi, Principal Secretary of Rural Development Eknath Dawale, and senior officials from the central and state governments.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture Vikas Rastogi provided information through a presentation on Maharashtra’s weather, rainfall, agricultural challenges, Kharif season 2025, availability of fertilizers and seeds, Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, AgriStack campaign, and plans for the next year.
Appreciation for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
During the meeting, Union Minister Chouhan praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for various innovative initiatives under the state’s agriculture and rural development departments. He specifically commended the Chief Minister for initiatives under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (Rural) and sandbank projects.
Spread Maharashtra’s ‘Success Stories’ Across the Country
During the presentation, information was shared about innovative initiatives undertaken by farmers from various parts of the state. Union Minister Chouhan called for spreading the success stories of farmers like Raosaheb Mohite from Tapargaon in Sambhajinagar district, Eknath Talekar from Rui (Dhanora) in Beed district engaged in sericulture, and Vandana Rathod from Jawla in Yavatmal district involved in orchid farming, across the country through various platforms.
Review of Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed various centrally sponsored schemes under the Rural Development Department. Principal Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Eknath Dawale provided details on initiatives under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana, PM Janman Yojana, Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana, and self-help group programs. The review of MGNREGA was also conducted, with Union Minister Chouhan appreciating the achievement of MGNREGA targets.
Target of One Crore Lakhpati Didi’s – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed during the meeting that the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, providing ₹1500 to women, has offered them significant support. Women have utilized this amount to start various businesses and meet essential expenses. Additionally, the Lakhpati Didi scheme is being implemented to make women financially self-reliant. The state aims to create one crore Lakhpati Didi’s in the coming times, he added.
