Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Shri Dattatraya Vithoba Bharne in New Delhi today.

During the meeting, the Maharashtra Agriculture Minister apprised the Union Minister of the progress of various schemes being implemented in the state under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. He specifically requested the allocation of additional funds for agricultural mechanisation and drip irrigation.

Shri Bharne also informed the Union Agriculture Minister about the damage caused to mango and cashew crops in the coastal regions of the state due to unseasonal rains. In this regard, officials from the Union Ministry of Agriculture stated that a central team had already visited the state to assess the losses.

Taking note of the damage caused to crops due to unseasonal rainfall, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed officials to ensure that farmers in the state receive the maximum possible benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan further stated that under the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, 52 teams have been constituted to address the issues faced by farmers, and the progress of the initiative is being reviewed regularly. He also urged the state to take proactive steps to fully utilise the benefits of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

During the meeting, the Maharashtra Agriculture Minister also informed that onion production in the state has been higher this year. He requested the Union Minister to facilitate arrangements for direct procurement from farmers through APMCs. In response, the Union Agriculture Minister assured that appropriate steps would be taken in this regard.

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RC/MS/MK