Raipur: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh has established itself as a powerhouse in India’s agricultural sector, setting new records in paddy procurement and farmer welfare programs. Over the past three Kharif seasons, the state has purchased nearly 437 lakh metric tons of paddy, ensuring farmers receive the highest prices in the country and marking Chhattisgarh as a national model in agriculture.
Historic Paddy Procurement and Farmer Payments
During the Kharif season 2025-26, Chhattisgarh procured 142 lakh metric tons of paddy from over 25.24 lakh farmers, bringing total procurement over the last three years to 437 lakh metric tons. This has resulted in payments exceeding ₹1.40 lakh crore to farmers’ accounts.
Food Minister Dayal Das Baghel told the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly that the state’s “Sai Model” of paddy procurement ensures fair pricing and timely payment for farmers, making Chhattisgarh the first state in India to guarantee farmers the full value of their crops.
Diversification of Crops and Farmer Development
The state government has promoted crop diversification under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, including pulses, oilseeds, maize, millets like Kodo-Kutki and Ragi, and cotton. A budget allocation of ₹10,000 crore has been set aside for this initiative to boost farmer income and productivity.
The government’s efforts go beyond paddy procurement, ensuring fertilizer availability (urea, DAP) and supporting low-productivity areas like Dantewada, Korba, and Jashpur through programs such as the Saur Sujala Scheme and Paddy-Cereal Agriculture Program.
Transparent and Digital Procurement System
Chhattisgarh’s digital and timely procurement system has proven effective in eliminating middlemen and preventing illegal paddy transport. The Food Minister highlighted that the state’s zero-corruption policy and high-level monitoring have made the system highly efficient and farmer-friendly.
For the Kharif marketing year 2024-25, 149.25 lakh metric tons of paddy was procured from 25.49 lakh farmers, with ongoing completion of storage and reconciliation processes. The state ensured proper storage with measures such as cap covers and pest control kits, maintaining paddy wastage at just 3.52%, a significant improvement over previous years.
Timely Payment and Support to Farmers
In the 2025-26 season, farmers received a combined payment of ₹33,431 crore as Minimum Support Price (MSP) and an additional ₹10,324 crore under the Krishak Unnati Yojana. These payments were completed before festivals like Holi and Diwali, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to farmers.
Chhattisgarh as a National Model in Agriculture
The Food Minister emphasized that Chhattisgarh’s systematic, digital, and transparent procurement process has set a national benchmark. By ensuring fair prices, timely payments, crop diversification, and zero middlemen interference, the state demonstrates that agriculture can be modern, profitable, and efficient when policies are clear and implementation is transparent.
