Government launches irrigation projects worth nearly ₹10,000 crore in two years; ₹2,800 crore approved to renovate 1,500 schemes and expand irrigated area by 76,000 hectares
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 27,2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday said farmers’ prosperity and higher incomes remain top priorities of his government, announcing measures to make paddy procurement more convenient and expand irrigation facilities across the state.
Addressing the Utkrisht Krishak Ratna Samman Samaroh at the Circuit House in Raipur, organised on the birth anniversary of Shri Manharan Lal Pandey, Sai said paddy procurement would begin on November 15 and that 360 new procurement centres were being established to reduce travel for farmers and ease congestion at existing centres.
The Chief Minister also honoured progressive farmers from different parts of Chhattisgarh for their contributions to agriculture and adoption of improved farming practices.
New procurement centres to ease farmers’ burden
Sai said the government was making arrangements to ensure that eligible farmers could sell their produce without difficulty. The additional procurement centres would reduce the distance farmers need to travel, save time and effort, and help streamline the procurement process.
He said agriculture remained the backbone of Chhattisgarh’s economy and rural life, with nearly 80 per cent of the state’s population directly or indirectly dependent on the sector. Improving farm incomes, ensuring remunerative prices, reducing cultivation costs and expanding access to irrigation were therefore central to the government’s priorities.
Congratulating the award-winning farmers, Sai said progressive cultivators were demonstrating how modern technology and innovation could complement traditional agricultural practices. Recognising their achievements, he added, would encourage other farmers to adopt improved methods and enhance productivity.
₹10,000 crore in irrigation projects initiated
The Chief Minister said the state had initiated new irrigation projects worth nearly ₹10,000 crore over the past two years. In addition, approximately ₹2,800 crore had been approved for renovating 1,500 existing irrigation projects.
Once the renovation work is completed, the irrigated area is expected to increase by 76,000 hectares, improving access to water for farmers and supporting higher agricultural productivity.
He also referred to projects such as Matnar and Deurgaon on the Indravati River, saying the government was working to extend irrigation to more agricultural land and reduce dependence on rainfall.
Kisan Credit Card eased access to farm loans
Sai highlighted the role of the Kisan Credit Card scheme, introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in improving farmers’ access to credit.
He said farmers had earlier faced high borrowing costs, while agricultural loans were now available at zero per cent interest under applicable state arrangements. This had helped reduce the financial burden associated with cultivation.
The Chief Minister said the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was promoting agricultural research, modern technology, organic farming and natural farming to improve production, reduce input costs and increase farmers’ earnings. He also linked farmers’ welfare to the broader goal of building a developed India.
Tribute to Manharan Lal Pandey
Paying tribute to Shri Manharan Lal Pandey, Sai said his life had been dedicated to public service, with a particular interest in agriculture, rural communities and irrigation development. He appreciated the initiative to honour farmers and social workers in Pandey’s memory and congratulated the organising committee.
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap also recalled Pandey’s contribution to public and social life. He said Sai’s background in a farming family helped him understand the concerns of cultivators and that the state government was taking decisions aimed at agricultural development and farmers’ welfare.
The programme was attended by Karmveer Singh, Akhilesh Soni, Naveen Markandey, Ram Garg, Alok Chandra Thakur, Harshita Pandey and Anurag Pandey, along with other public representatives, distinguished citizens, members of the Shri Manharan Lal Pandey Smriti Sansthan and farmers from across the state.
