Dhamtari, Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated rural road projects worth Rs 2,225 crore and oversaw the transfer of Rs 500 crore to the bank accounts of 2.5 million farmers in Chhattisgarh under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). The programme was held at a state-level function in Dhamtari, where the nationwide distribution of the 21st PM-KISAN installment by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Coimbatore was also showcased.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh, Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Ministers Dayaldas Baghel and Tankaram Verma, along with thousands of farmers and rural representatives.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Chouhan presented documents for rural road projects sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). These projects, covering more than 2,500 kilometres, will connect around 780 villages in Chhattisgarh with all-weather roads for the first time. He said that the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has significantly accelerated infrastructure development, especially in rural regions that rely heavily on connectivity for economic progress.
Chouhan also announced that Chhattisgarh has been included in the National Makhana Development Board, stating that this will open new avenues for makhana production, processing, and value addition for the farmers of the state.

Referring to major national decisions such as the construction of the Shri Ram Temple, abrogation of Article 370, and the passage of the Women’s Reservation Act, the Union Minister described them as historic steps toward national growth and empowerment. He highlighted that under Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s guidance, Naxalism in Chhattisgarh has been brought to its “final stage,” paving the way for peace, investment, and development.

In his address, the Chief Minister said that today’s instalment of PM-KISAN has directly benefited 24,70,640 farmers, forest patta holders, and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with Rs 494 crore transferred to their bank accounts. He added that the state government has registered 2,75,000 new beneficiaries under PM-KISAN, expanding the scheme’s reach.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening paddy procurement. Paddy is being purchased at Rs 3,100 per quintal, with farmers allowed to sell up to 21 quintals per acre. He noted that the target of procuring 149 lakh metric tons of paddy this year reflects the trust of the farmers. He recalled that paddy procurement in the early years of Chhattisgarh’s formation stood at only 5 lakh metric tons, which has grown substantially.

Highlighting the expansion of the Farmers’ Unnati Yojana, he said that farmers cultivating pulses, oilseeds, and maize will now receive benefits similar to paddy growers. These benefits are also being extended to farmers in Regha, Batai, Lease, and Submergence areas.

He informed that over the past 22 months, around Rs 1.25 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers through various schemes. Within two weeks of forming the government, 1.3 million farmers received a bonus of Rs 3,716 crore. The Chief Minister also highlighted the growing popularity of millet-based products, such as the “Jashpure” brand, produced by women’s self-help groups in Jashpur district.

He added that Rs 2,800 crore has been approved for 115 long-pending irrigation projects, which will benefit millions of farmers. The reduction in GST has also boosted the purchase of tractors and agricultural machinery, reflecting a rise in farmers’ purchasing power.

Thousands of farmers visited exhibitions on agricultural technology, rural infrastructure, and self-help group products at the venue. The programme concluded with expressions of gratitude to the farmers and a renewed commitment to sustained rural and agricultural development in Chhattisgarh.