Assembly Speaker says Rajnandgaon APMC is among Chhattisgarh’s leading agricultural markets; urges farmers to adopt crop diversification
Published on: July 12, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh on Sunday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹20.01 crore at the Adarsh Krishi Upaj Mandi in Rajnandgaon. The event was attended by Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare, Tribal Development, Biotechnology, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Ramvichar Netam and Lok Sabha MP Santosh Pandey.
The projects included infrastructure development within the agricultural market yard, rural development works across gram panchayats, and the distribution of agricultural inputs and financial assistance to beneficiaries.
Development Projects Worth Over ₹20 Crore Launched
Under the programme:
- Development works worth ₹2.39 crore funded through the Adarsh Krishi Upaj Mandi Committee were inaugurated.
- Foundation stones were laid for 181 development projects worth ₹16.33 crore across gram panchayats in Rajnandgaon block.
- 18 completed projects worth ₹1.29 crore in nine gram panchayats were inaugurated.
The dignitaries also interacted with sarpanches from 51 gram panchayats across 13 clusters via video conference to review the progress of ongoing development works.
Farmers shifting from paddy cultivation to alternative crops were provided pigeon pea (tur) and soybean seeds, while the Mini Mata Women’s Self-Help Group of Pendri received a cheque of ₹1.10 lakh under the Antyodaya Self-Employment Scheme.
Rajnandgaon APMC Among State’s Leading Agricultural Markets
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Raman Singh described the Adarsh Krishi Upaj Mandi, Rajnandgaon, as one of the leading agricultural markets in Chhattisgarh.
He said the mandi offers modern facilities for farmers and traders, including:
- Shopping complex
- Cinema hall
- Rest house
- Bank
- Post office
- Weighbridge
- Grain market
- Vegetable market
Dr. Singh stressed that mandi funds should be utilized extensively for strengthening rural infrastructure and improving basic amenities in villages.
Farmers Encouraged to Diversify Crops
The Assembly Speaker urged farmers to adopt crop diversification by cultivating maize, soybean, pulses, and other low-water crops alongside paddy.
He said diversification would:
- Increase farmers’ income
- Reduce dependence on water-intensive paddy cultivation
- Promote groundwater conservation
- Improve long-term agricultural sustainability
He also emphasized that the quality of development works would not be compromised and directed officials to ensure durable, standard-compliant construction.
Minister Ramvichar Netam Highlights Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam said the state government is committed to making agriculture more profitable and sustainable.
He noted that excessive paddy cultivation has contributed to:
- Falling groundwater levels
- Increased pressure on water resources
- Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- Declining soil fertility
To encourage crop diversification, he said the state government is providing ₹15,000 per acre as input assistance to farmers cultivating crops other than paddy.
The minister also encouraged farmers to supplement their income through:
- Dairy farming
- Fisheries
- Goat rearing
- Poultry farming
- Horticulture
He directed agriculture and allied departments to promote government schemes more effectively and called for Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to be developed as demonstration hubs for modern farming technologies.
MP Santosh Pandey Highlights Rural Employment Scheme
Lok Sabha MP Santosh Pandey said the government’s Vikasit Bharat–VB-GRAM-JI rural employment programme provides 125 days of employment with a daily wage of ₹300.
He said the scheme can support activities such as:
- Plantation drives
- Water conservation
- Rural infrastructure development
Pandey also urged farmers to avoid paddy cultivation during summer and focus on water conservation and diversified farming to strengthen India’s agricultural self-reliance.
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Panchayat Development to Strengthen Rural Infrastructure
District Panchayat Chairperson Kiran Vaishnav said the newly inaugurated and proposed projects would significantly improve infrastructure in rural areas and ensure better delivery of welfare schemes.
District Panchayat CEO Suruchi Singh presented the programme report.
Several public representatives, farmers, and government officials attended the event, while former MP Abhishek Singh joined the programme through video conferencing from Kopedih Gram Panchayat.
