Agriculture is central to Chhattisgarh’s economy and rural life. With about 40 lakh farming households, including 82 per cent small and marginal farmers, the prosperity of the state is closely linked to the income and security of its cultivators. The government’s decision to begin paddy procurement from 15 November at 3,100 Rupees per quintal is therefore a significant step for the coming season.
Over the past three years, nearly 437 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured, with payments of more than 1.40 lakh crore Rupees made to farmers. This scale shows the importance of procurement in providing farmers a assured market for their produce. Timely payment is equally important, as it helps families manage expenses and plan for the next cultivation cycle.
The new procurement season will cover more than 27.50 lakh farmers, with a maximum procurement limit of 21 quintals per acre. Measures such as exemption from re-registration for farmers with Agristack IDs, digital crop surveys and biometric-based procurement can reduce paperwork and improve transparency. The addition of 360 new procurement centres, taking the total to 3,100, should make access easier for farmers in remote areas.
Beyond paddy, the state is also promoting crop diversification. The incentive for farmers growing alternative crops instead of paddy has been raised from 11,000 to 15,000 Rupees per acre. This can encourage cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, but farmers will need reliable markets, fair prices and technical guidance to make such a shift sustainable.
Support for irrigation, machinery and crop insurance is also important. The provision of 8,567 agricultural machines, 678 farm machinery banks and expansion of drip and sprinkler irrigation can improve productivity and reduce labour burden. Crop insurance provides protection against unexpected losses, but claims must be settled quickly and fairly.
The real measure of farmer welfare lies in the everyday experience of cultivators: timely procurement, prompt payment, access to inputs and dependable markets. If these systems work well, agriculture can remain a strong foundation for rural prosperity. Chhattisgarh’s farming community deserves policies that protect their interests not only during procurement season, but throughout the agricultural cycle.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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