Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday said the state has undergone a significant transformation in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure since the BJP government assumed office. Speaking at the NaiDunia Forum 2026, organized by the Jagran Group in Raipur, the Chief Minister said the government’s farmer-centric policies, expanded irrigation network, industrial reforms, and infrastructure projects are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.
Sai stated that farmers who were once trapped in the cycle of high-interest loans from moneylenders are now benefiting from modern agricultural schemes, while the state’s new industrial policy has already attracted investment proposals worth ₹8 lakh crore, creating the potential for nearly 1.5 lakh employment opportunities.
Farmers Freed from High-Interest Loans
Highlighting the changes in the agricultural sector, the Chief Minister said that earlier, farmers lacked adequate farming resources and were often forced to borrow from moneylenders at extremely high interest rates or take cooperative loans carrying interest between 16% and 18%.
According to Sai, the present government has transformed this system by ensuring better access to agricultural inputs and financial support. Farmers are now being provided fertilizers and quality seeds closer to their villages, reducing their dependence on private lenders.
He also noted that agricultural credit has become far more affordable. Interest rates on farm loans, which once stood at 18%, have now effectively been reduced to zero percent under the BJP government’s initiatives. He credited the Kisan Credit Card Scheme, introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for strengthening farmers’ access to institutional credit.
Read also: Chhattisgarh Cabinet Approves ₹500 Crore AI Mission, BEML Plant and Major Digital Governance Reforms
Irrigation Expansion Receives Major Push
The Chief Minister said irrigation remains one of the government’s top priorities.
He announced that the Sirpur Barrage Project has been approved at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore, which will provide sufficient irrigation water to nearby villages. In addition, the government is planning to invest around ₹2,800 crore to modernize and strengthen existing irrigation systems across the state.
Sai criticized the previous government, claiming that only ₹5,000 crore worth of irrigation projects were approved during its five-year tenure, whereas the current administration has sanctioned ₹11,000 crore worth of irrigation projects in just two and a half years.
He emphasized that improved irrigation will significantly enhance agricultural productivity and farmers’ income by ensuring water reaches every field.
Government Promoting Diversified Farming to Increase Farmers’ Income
Responding to questions about doubling farmers’ income, Sai said the government is pursuing a multi-dimensional agricultural strategy instead of relying solely on traditional paddy cultivation.
He encouraged farmers to diversify into:
- Horticulture
- Cash crops
- Fisheries
- Poultry farming
- Goat rearing
- Dairy farming
- Medicinal crop cultivation
According to the Chief Minister, farmers who shift from conventional paddy cultivation to horticulture and high-value cash crops could potentially quadruple their annual income.
Chhattisgarh Farmers Successfully Growing Fruits and Cash Crops
During the forum, Balrampur farmer Rakesh Kumar Singh shared his successful experience of earning higher income through alternative crops.
Referring to Jashpur district, Sai said farmers in Chhattisgarh are now successfully cultivating:
- Mango
- Litchi
- Tea
- Apple
The Chief Minister described these achievements as evidence that farmers are increasingly adopting profitable agricultural practices.
Government Encouraging Millets, Pulses and Oilseeds
The Chief Minister urged farmers not to depend entirely on paddy cultivation.
Instead, he encouraged them to grow:
- Kodo
- Kutki
- Maize
- Pulses
- Oilseeds
He added that the government is ensuring better market prices for these crops while also promoting the production of Shri Anna (millets) to improve farmers’ profitability.
Alongside crop diversification, the government is also focusing on dairy development through new partnerships to strengthen milk production in the state.
Krishak Unnati Yojana and PM-Kisan Benefiting Farmers
Sai said the Krishak Unnati Yojana provides farmers with an input assistance of ₹15,000 per acre, helping reduce cultivation costs.
He also highlighted the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme.
According to him:
- Around 80% of farmers in Chhattisgarh are small and marginal farmers.
- Eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually under PM-Kisan.
- Approximately 26 lakh farmers in the state are benefiting directly from the scheme.
The Chief Minister described PM-Kisan as an important source of financial support for small farmers.
Government Tackles Fertilizer Challenges with Nano DAP and Nano Urea
Referring to disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis, Sai said the government ensured adequate fertilizer supplies despite concerns over shortages of DAP and urea.
He said the administration arranged additional fertilizer stocks while promoting Nano DAP and Nano Urea as modern, efficient alternatives to conventional fertilizers.
According to him, these innovative fertilizers will play an important role in sustainable agriculture in the coming years.
New Industrial Policy Attracts ₹8 Lakh Crore Investment
Speaking about industrial development, Sai said Chhattisgarh’s new industrial policy has significantly improved the state’s investment climate.
Key initiatives include:
- Introduction of a Single Window System to simplify approvals.
- Special incentives for industries.
- Faster clearances for investors.
The Chief Minister revealed that investment proposals worth ₹8 lakh crore have already been signed through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
He expressed confidence that these projects will soon be implemented, generating employment opportunities for nearly 1.5 lakh youth across the state.
Railway Infrastructure Receiving Historic Investment
The Chief Minister also discussed the rapid expansion of railway infrastructure across Chhattisgarh.
He said:
- Eight new railway stations have already been developed.
- Work is progressing on several new railway routes.
- Discussions with the Union Railway Minister have yielded positive outcomes for future projects.
Sai announced that work on the Dantewada-Gadchiroli railway line will begin soon.
He also highlighted several major railway developments:
- 32 railway stations in Chhattisgarh are being upgraded to world-class standards.
- The Kharsia-Parmalkasa railway line has recently been approved.
- The Katghora-Dongargarh railway project is moving towards implementation.
According to the Chief Minister, the Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated a record ₹7,470 crore for railway development in Chhattisgarh—nearly 24 times higher than the annual average allocation of ₹311 crore during 2009-14.
He added that railway projects worth approximately ₹51,080 crore are currently under implementation across the state.
Development Reaching Maoist-Affected Areas
The Chief Minister said government initiatives are transforming Maoist-affected regions of Bastar.
He noted that villages which once had barren agricultural land are now witnessing development through improved roads, electricity, irrigation, and other essential infrastructure, opening new opportunities for farming and economic activity.
NaiDunia Forum 2026 Inaugurated by Assembly Speaker Raman Singh
The NaiDunia Forum 2026 was inaugurated by Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh.
The event was attended by several senior leaders, including:
- Forest, Cooperative and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap
- Industries Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan
- Other government officials and dignitaries
