More than 25 lakh farmers benefit from the scheme; government steps up support for crop diversification, pulses, oilseeds and millet cultivation to improve farm incomes
TFP Bureau, Raipur, November 13, 2026: The Chhattisgarh government has disbursed ₹35,904.90 crore to more than 25 lakh farmers under the Krishak Unnati Yojana between the Kharif seasons of 2023 and 2025, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam said on Friday.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Chhattisgarh Samvad auditorium in Naya Raipur, Netam and Agriculture Production Commissioner Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi outlined the Agriculture Department’s achievements and future initiatives aimed at improving farmers’ incomes, making agriculture more profitable and promoting crop diversification. Agriculture Director Rahul Dev was also present.
Netam said the government was committed to ensuring remunerative prices for agricultural produce and providing financial support to farmers. Under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, ₹13,289 crore was disbursed for the Kharif 2023 season, ₹11,976 crore for Kharif 2024 and ₹10,639 crore for Kharif 2025.
The scheme provides uniform input assistance of ₹13,839 per acre. Farmers remain eligible for the assistance even if they sell less paddy than the quantity corresponding to their registered agricultural area, giving them greater flexibility in selling their produce.
To encourage farmers to shift from paddy to alternative crops, the government has increased financial assistance from ₹11,000 to ₹15,000 per acre for those opting for crop diversification. More than 52,000 farmers have registered under this initiative, covering over 28,000 hectares.
The government is also providing assistance of ₹10,000 per acre for the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, maize, Kodo, Kutki, Ragi and cotton. So far, 4,26,185 farmers have registered under this initiative, covering more than 2.66 lakh hectares. The measure is intended to reduce dependence on paddy and encourage the cultivation of alternative crops with market potential.
Pulses and oilseeds procurement
The Agriculture Minister said the state was also facilitating the procurement of pulses and oilseeds at Minimum Support Prices under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
During 2025-26, a total of 3,72,039 quintals of tur, soybean, chickpea, lentil and mustard were procured through 273 centres across 29 districts. Farmers received payments amounting to ₹219.08 crore.
Chickpea accounted for the largest share, with 3,54,127 quintals procured. Payments of ₹207.59 crore were made to 24,257 farmers for the crop.
Focus on millet production and processing
The government is also expanding support for traditional and nutritious millets, including Kodo, Kutki and Ragi, under its Shri Anna promotion initiatives.
For the 2026-27 Kharif marketing season, these millets will be procured through Markfed from December 15, 2026, to February 15, 2027. Ragi will be purchased at the Minimum Support Price fixed by the Union government, while procurement rates for Kodo and Kutki will be determined by the state government.
The procured millets will be supplied, depending on demand and availability, to Anganwadi centres and middle schools. Supplies will also be made available to processing units and government, semi-government and private institutions to strengthen processing and marketing opportunities.
Netam said the initiatives were aimed at providing farmers with greater economic security and expanding their choices beyond paddy cultivation. The government is seeking to build a more diversified agricultural economy by promoting pulses, oilseeds, millets and other alternative crops alongside conventional farming.
