Delegation lauds state’s farmer-centric policies and procurement system
Raipur, June 19, 2026/ A delegation of legislators from Maharashtra paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai at his residence in Raipur on Friday and sought detailed information on Chhattisgarh’s paddy procurement system, farmer welfare initiatives and efforts to strengthen the rural economy.
Chief Minister welcomed the delegation and presented them with a Bastar art memento symbolising the region’s rich tribal heritage.
Describing Chhattisgarh as an agrarian state where a large section of the population depends on farming, Shri Sai said the government is focused on increasing farmers’ incomes, making agriculture more remunerative and strengthening the rural economy. He added that, in coordination with the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state is promoting irrigation expansion, modern farming practices, crop diversification and measures to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce.
Briefing the delegation on the state’s procurement system, Shri Sai said paddy is being procured at ₹3,100 per quintal. Around 141 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured during the kharif marketing season through nearly 2,700 procurement centres across the state, supported by an extensive network of storage facilities and warehouses.
He said the procurement process has been simplified and digitised, covering farmer registration, paddy weighing, transportation and payment, to ensure transparency and timely disbursal. The delegation was also briefed on farmer welfare initiatives, including the Krishak Unnati Yojana, as well as efforts to promote allied sectors such as animal husbandry and fisheries to enhance rural incomes.
During the interaction, members of the Maharashtra delegation noted that a large number of farmers in four districts bordering Chhattisgarh cultivate paddy. They described Chhattisgarh’s procurement system, farmer support measures and administrative management as effective and worthy of study. The legislators said the state’s paddy procurement model offers valuable lessons in farmer empowerment and expressed interest in exploring similar initiatives in paddy-growing regions of Maharashtra.
Shri Sai said the exchange of successful practices and experiences among states plays an important role in strengthening the country’s agricultural sector and provides an opportunity to adapt proven models to local needs.
Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, Maharashtra MLAs Dr Parinay Fuke, Shri Vinod Agrawal, Shri Raju Karemore and Shri Sanjay Puram, Chhattisgarh Markfed Chairman Shri Shashikant Dwivedi, Chief Minister’s Secretary Shri Rahul Bhagat and senior officials were present on the occasion.
