Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds virtual meeting with Agriculture Ministers of various states

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds virtual meeting with Agriculture Ministers of various states

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held an important virtual meeting on Tuesday with Agriculture Ministers and senior officials of various states and undertook a detailed review of the progress of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Krishi Unnati schemes. During the meeting, the Union Minister clearly stated that while the Central Government is providing strong price support to farmers through large-scale procurement of gram, mustard and lentil under Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM – AASHA) during the Rabi 2026 season, it is equally essential that every rupee of funds provided to the States is spent in a timely, efficient and farmer-centric manner.
The Union Agriculture Minister reviewed the implementation of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and the Krishi Unnati Scheme with the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Shri Chouhan said that as the financial year is approaching its end, it is imperative that the funds released by the Central Government to the states are utilised on time, properly and in the best possible manner for the benefit of farmers. The Union Minister emphasised that delays or partial utilisation defeat the very purpose of these farmer-oriented schemes and weaken their impact at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, state-wise and scheme-wise progress was reviewed in detail. Shri Chouhan urged all states to expedite and complete the expenditure of the allocated funds so that at the end of the financial year by March 31, the entire amount is utilised for farmers’ welfare, strengthening agricultural infrastructure and enhancing productivity. The Union Minister informed that a total of 18 schemes are being implemented under Krishi Unnati and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and the Central Government wants the tangible benefits of these schemes to reach every village and every farm. He underlined that effective implementation at the field level is the key to translating policy intent into visible outcomes for farmers.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated that the Government of India remains firmly committed to providing price support to farmers through the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan. He explained that PM – AASHA includes the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF). The broad objective of these components is to ensure remunerative and assured prices for agricultural produce, protect farmers’ incomes and safeguard their livelihoods against market volatility. He stated that these interventions collectively aim to build a reliable safety net for farmers, especially during periods of price fluctuations.
The Union Agriculture Minister explained that the Price Support Scheme is implemented when the market prices of notified pulses, oilseeds and copra fall below the notified Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the peak harvesting period, in order to ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices. For the Rabi 2026 season, under the Price Support Scheme, approval has been granted for the procurement of 7,61,250 metric tonnes (MT) of gram in Maharashtra, 4,13,250 metric tonnes in Gujarat, 5,80,000 metric tonnes in Madhya Pradesh and 5,53,000 metric tonnes in Rajasthan.
Similarly, under the Price Support Scheme for the Rabi 2026 season, approval has been accorded for the procurement of 13,78,750 metric tonnes of mustard in Rajasthan and 1,33,000 metric tonnes in Gujarat. In addition, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also approved the proposal for procurement of 6,01,000 metric tonnes of lentil in Madhya Pradesh for the Rabi 2026 season. He stated that these decisions will provide farmers in the concerned States with the confidence of selling their produce at MSP and ensure income security even during periods of declining market prices.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised that assured procurement at MSP not only protects farmers from distress sales but also strengthens their trust in government support mechanisms. The Union Minister said that the Central Government is taking proactive steps so that farmers are not left at the mercy of volatile markets and middlemen, and that timely procurement operations play a crucial role in stabilising farm incomes.
The Union Agriculture Minister further stated that to promote domestic production and ensure remunerative prices for farmers, the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’ will be implemented in a decisive manner. Under this mission, by the year 2030-31, the entire quantity of pigeon pea (arhar), urad and lentil offered by pre-registered farmers will be procured through central nodal agencies. He said that this arrangement provides farmers with an assured market and assured prices, while also strengthening the country’s objective of becoming self-reliant in pulses production. According to the Union Minister, this mission represents a long-term structural intervention aimed at reducing dependence on imports and stabilising the pulses economy.
Shri Shivraj Chouhan noted that assured procurement under the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’ will encourage farmers to expand the area under pulses cultivation, adopt improved technologies and invest more confidently in quality inputs. He added that this will have a positive impact on soil health, crop diversification and nutritional security, while also improving farmers’ incomes over time.
Reiterating the commitment of the Central Government, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that sustained efforts are being made to increase farmers’ incomes, ensure fair prices for their produce and strengthen the agricultural sector as a whole. He said that initiatives such as PM – AASHA, the Price Support Scheme, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the Krishi Unnati Scheme and the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’ together are creating a comprehensive protective framework for farmers. These measures, he said, are not isolated interventions but are designed to work in synergy to address issues of price risk, productivity, infrastructure and market access.
The Union Agriculture Minister concluded by stating that the Government of India will continue to take farmer-friendly decisions in the coming times and expects States to act as active partners in this endeavour. He stressed that efficient utilisation of funds, timely implementation of schemes and close monitoring at all levels are essential to ensure that the intended benefits reach farmers on the ground. According to him, only through coordinated efforts between the Centre and the states can the shared goal of a strong, resilient and prosperous agricultural sector be achieved.