Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan turned up the heat on state governments during a marathon review session focused on accelerating central agricultural initiatives. The virtual meeting, attended by all state agriculture ministers, zeroed in on eliminating delays that plague scheme disbursals.
Opening with stark data—over 20% of funds unutilized last fiscal—Chouhan laid bare the inefficiencies. Discussions covered PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Cards, and natural farming missions, with ministers grilled on implementation gaps.
‘Farmers wait for no one; neither should our schemes,’ Chouhan asserted, mandating monthly progress dashboards. He spotlighted success stories from Gujarat and Haryana, where digital portals slashed processing times by 50%.
The agenda extended to future-proofing agriculture amid climate challenges. Proposals included micro-irrigation subsidies and climate-resilient seeds, with Chouhan allocating additional funds for top performers.
Drawing from his Madhya Pradesh tenure, where he launched ‘Ladli Laxmi’ and farm helplines, Chouhan infused the meet with practical wisdom. Stakeholders anticipate ripple effects: reduced farmer distress, boosted rural economies.
As India eyes agri-doubling by 2025, this review signals policy momentum. Chouhan concluded with a pledge: ‘From farmgate to fulfillment, speed is our ally.’ States have two weeks to submit action plans, marking a new era of proactive governance.